Imsil N Cheese Festival Attracts Over 550,000 Tourists... Record High Attendance

Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk recorded a record high of approximately 550,000 visitors at the ImsilN Cheese Festival held for four days from the 6th to the 9th.

According to the county on the 10th, the number of visitors to the ImsilN Cheese Festival was tentatively counted at about 559,500, surpassing last year's approximately 520,000, setting a new record high.

This figure is 21 times the total population of Imsil-gun, which is about 26,000, and the economic ripple effect is also estimated to reach hundreds of billions of won.

Imsil N Cheese Festival. [Photo by Imsil-gun]

In fact, there were considerable concerns that the number of tourists would be lower than last year, as six local festivals were held simultaneously from the 6th, and five other regional festivals were held simultaneously on the 5th and the following day, the 7th.

However, these concerns proved unfounded as countless tourists continued to visit from the first day of the festival, with the largest crowd ever recorded on the third day, and the momentum continued until the last day on the 9th.

The festival site was packed without any space to step, and the roads around Imsil IC and the festival site resembled parking lots all day long. In particular, severe traffic congestion occurred as the road from Jeonju to Imsil was blocked.

This great record is analyzed to have been driven by favorable factors such as clear weather throughout the festival period and a long holiday, the nationwide reputation of the ImsilN Cheese Festival, various attractions including the spectacular scenery of over ten million chrysanthemums decorating the festival area, and delicious local food served at the local food pavilion.

Also, the distinctly different festival layout from last year and newly introduced programs this year, such as the 50kg large aged cheese, Belgium Day, a splendid parade led by the Taeguk Chwita band, the opening drone show with about 300 drones titled ‘ImsilN Cheese in the Night Sky,’ and the Kids Trot Contest, were very popular.

On Belgium Day, a large Belgian waffle flag-making experience and sharing event was held with the French and Bongtang Belgian ambassador couples and the family of Father Jijeonghwan, along with a Belgian photo zone, receiving great response and popularity from tourists.

In particular, the local food, prepared with care by the 12 eup-myeon lifestyle improvement associations like ‘home-cooked meals,’ was highly praised by tourists for its generous portions, affordable prices without overcharging, unmatched taste, and the best delicacies such as Imsil female beef cattle under 50 months old.

Moreover, the orderly guidance of vehicles filling the festival area, shuttle bus operation, and expanded parking lot operation contributed greatly to minimizing inconvenience for tourists through a systematic transportation system. Safety issues were also strengthened, earning evaluations that the festival was safe and satisfying for visitors.

The county plans to keep the chrysanthemum flower scenery around the festival site on display until the end of October, expecting many tourists to visit even after the festival ends to see the flowers.

They will hold a session to diagnose the achievements and shortcomings of this festival and plan to improve on them next year to create an even more perfect festival.

County Governor Sim Min said, “Despite many festivals being held simultaneously across the province, I am very pleased and grateful that more tourists visited the ImsilN Cheese Festival than last year,” adding, “We will carefully check points for improvement so that even more tourists can visit next year and make it a premium global festival representing Korea.”

Imsil = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Noshik Park baekok@asiae.co.kr