Busan Targets Workation Hub Status, Continues Supply of Extended-Stay Accommodations

In Line with Workation Activation, ‘Increased Supply of Residences’ Expected to Meet Preferences of Long-Term Travelers

As Busan leads the domestic workcation trend, the supply of accommodations capable of hosting these travelers is expected to increase.

Workcation refers to a work style that combines work and vacation simultaneously. Companies that experienced the efficiency of remote and telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic are actively adopting workcation to foster advanced corporate cultures.

One of the top domestic workcation destinations is Busan. On the 7th, Busan City opened the "Busan Workcation Hub Center" and announced its full-scale operation. The first companies participating in this Busan-style workcation include well-known domestic and international ICT companies such as Google Korea, Slack, and MediaZen. Workspaces with views of the Busan coastline have been established, and partial accommodation costs and tourism vouchers are provided to actively encourage workcation.

As Busan becomes a hub city balancing work and rest through workcation, the supply of residences suitable for long-term stays within Busan is expected to continue. Residences are accommodations preferred by travelers who stay for extended periods or spend most of their time indoors, as they allow free cooking and laundry within the rooms.

In response to this need, the developer TI Busan PFV (hereafter TI Busan) is promoting the construction of residences on the former Miworld site in Suyeong-gu, Busan.

Miworld, a representative playground facility in Suyeong-gu, has been abandoned as ruins since it closed in 2013. TI Busan’s plan is to develop this site, which benefits from the infrastructure around Gwangalli and has good accessibility to Haeundae, to accommodate more workcation travelers.

According to the construction plan submitted by TI Busan, various ancillary facilities targeting the preferences of workcation travelers will be built alongside the accommodations. A tourist commercial facility approximately 1.6 times the size of a soccer field will be created on the lower floors, and high-quality wellness facilities will be established through collaboration with global companies. Facilities such as a kids’ library and kids’ cafe will also be provided for family travelers.

In particular, TI Busan aims to offer a luxurious space to visitors to Busan by applying a global 6-star brand hotel to the accommodation facilities. The residences are planned to be built up to 42 floors, expected to provide excellent views and sunlight exposure.

For this development, TI Busan has held resident briefings and is actively contributing by donating private land and providing shared spaces for residents. In response to local residents’ opinions, the design was changed from three buildings to two, and the distance from adjacent apartments was increased by 27 meters beyond the requested separation, demonstrating active communication with the community.

Recently, the development was approved by Busan City’s review as a general accommodation facility only, but TI Busan intends to request a re-examination to obtain approval as a residence equipped with cooking facilities.

A TI Busan official emphasized, “At this moment when Busan is emerging as a domestic workcation hub, what is most needed is residences suitable for long-term stays. We hope the Miworld site, which offers coastal tourism at Gwangalli as well as convenient access to downtown Busan, will be reborn as a sanctuary for workcation travelers.”