Gangjin-gun Announces Vision for 2024 as the Year of 'Half-Price Gangjin Tourism'

"Accelerating Local Economic Revitalization with the 'Year of Half-Price Tourism'

Expanding Sales of Agricultural, Fishery, and Livestock Products through Massive Tourist Attraction"

Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, has declared 2024 as the "Half-Price Gangjin Tourism Year" and is accelerating efforts to revitalize the local economy.

According to the county on the 3rd, on the morning of the 2nd, the "2024 Opening Ceremony and Half-Price Gangjin Tourism Year Proclamation Ceremony" was held at the Gangjin Art Hall Grand Theater in Gangjin-eup.

This event was organized to overcome the crisis of national economic recession due to high inflation and the disappearance caused by population decline in local areas. Gangjin-gun proactively presented a bold new vision of "half-price tourism" to promote the revitalization of the local economy.

At the "Half-Price Gangjin Tourism Year Proclamation Ceremony," about 700 residents from all walks of life, including County Governor Gang Jinwon, National Assembly member Kim Seungnam, Gangjin County Council Chairperson Kim Bomi, Provincial Assembly member Cha Youngsoo, hometown associations, journalists, farmers, Puso groups, tourism and lodging industry workers, women's organizations, senior citizens' associations, and youth associations, gathered to reaffirm their determination for success.

Gangjin County is holding a vision proclamation ceremony related to the 2024 'Half-Price Gangjin Tourism'.
[Photo by Gangjin County]

The proclamation ceremony began with the unveiling of the arch sculpture at the entrance of Pulchijae Tunnel in Seongjeon-myeon, which is the first impression when visiting Gangjin by car. The arch sculpture features the promotional phrase, "Gangjin, the origin of K-Culture, with its distinctive Goryeo celadon, invites you to a half-price family trip in 2024."

Following this, congratulatory and encouraging messages supporting the "Half-Price Gangjin Tourism Year" were delivered by Professor Yoo Hongjun, who named Gangjin the "No. 1 destination for Namdo exploration," the president of the Seoul-Gangjin Hometown Association, Gangjin tourism ambassadors Moon Heeok and Kim Euisung, among others. A promotional video for the Half-Price Gangjin Tourism Year further strengthened the attendees' commitment.

Afterwards, County Governor Gang Jinwon personally explained the meaning and details of the half-price Gangjin tourism initiative, introducing the big picture for 2024 to the attendees.

The governor emphasized that providing up to 200,000 KRW, which is 50% of travel expenses, to family tourists of two or more people would be effective in encouraging repeat visits and significantly raising Gangjin's external recognition. He pledged to ignite the goal of attracting 5 million tourists and accelerate the revitalization of the local economy.

The event continued with the signing of a pledge by Puso groups, small business owners, tourism and lodging industry workers, and farmers who are at the forefront of Gangjin tourism. All attendees then participated in a performance shouting a national pledge, deepening their resolve.

Governor Gang Jinwon stated, "It is true that local governments are facing greater difficulties due to the national economic recession. To overcome this, Gangjin-gun has proactively presented the 'half-price tourism' card to invigorate the tourism industry through large-scale tourist attraction."

He added, "Driving the two wheels of festivals and tourism vigorously ultimately aims to increase income through expanded sales of agricultural, marine, and specialty products produced in Gangjin and revitalization of commercial districts. We will devote all efforts to the economic development of Gangjin to achieve regional revival beyond regional extinction."