Gangnam-gu, Overseas Tourists 'Hooked' by Medical Tourism + K-Culture Collaboration

Support for Product Development Utilizing Gangnam-gu Tourism Resources... Three Selected Organizations Each Receive 20 Million KRW for 180 Tenant Companies

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seongmyeong) is holding a contest until the 27th of this month to foster foreign tourist attraction businesses by strengthening competitiveness in the rapidly recovering medical tourism market, calling for 'Medical + K-Culture' combined medical tourism products.

Last year, during the Gangnam Festival, K-POP concert tickets were provided to medical tourists visiting the area, and such linked products have proven effective in attracting medical tourists. This contest, targeting 180 tenant companies in the region, was planned to support the development of linked products utilizing Gangnam-gu’s tourism resources.

In particular, linked products are expected to create tourism synergy effects in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, etc.), Mongolia, and Japan, where there is strong interest in K-Culture. Additionally, separate linked products for long-term hospitalized patients or VIPs can enhance competitiveness in the global market.

Applications will be accepted until the 27th, and through a first document screening and a second presentation screening, three final companies will be selected. Each selected company will receive 20 million KRW in marketing funds. However, selected companies must use at least 10% of the support funds as their own contribution for project expenses. Selected companies will be actively supported with online and offline advertising for product sales, production of promotional materials, participation in overseas exhibitions, and more. Detailed information on application documents and schedules can be found on the Gangnam-gu Office website and the Gangnam Medical Tour Center platform bulletin board.

Jo Seongmyeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “I hope this contest will help foreign patient attraction companies develop linked products,” adding, “We will enhance competitiveness in the global market through the development of medical tourism linked products that reflect the unique characteristics of Gangnam-gu.”