"Active cooperation from citizens is necessary to ensure the safe conduct of international events and the two major sports competitions to be held in our city."
On the 18th, Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, made this statement at the Gimhae City Hall press room while announcing the preparation status for the three major mega-events to be held in Gimhae this year.
Mayor Hong emphasized, "The 105th National Sports Festival, the 44th National Para Games, the East Asian Cultural City event involving Korea, China, and Japan, and the Year of Visit to Gimhae, among other large-scale events, will be held in Gimhae this year."
He added, "The entire nation will focus on Gimhae, and many domestic and international visitors will properly discover the charm of Gimhae. We are preparing detailed measures for safety and convenience in each sector to ensure the successful hosting of these events."
Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, is speaking about the preparation status and future plans for hosting the three major mega-events in 2024. [Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]
Gimhae City plans to provide temporary parking lots by opening parking spaces at nearby hospitals, schools, parks, and public institutions to facilitate parking for citizens and visitors near event venues.
The ongoing service to resolve traffic congestion and parking difficulties will hold a final report meeting this month, with plans to establish alternatives by April.
They have signed an agreement with the Korea Foodservice Industry Association to secure available lodging rooms, and accessibility facilities for the disabled in accommodations will be supplemented according to the reservation list of athletes and others.
Efforts are also being made to ensure food safety and prevent price gouging in lodging and hygiene businesses, including ▲ hygiene inspections of local restaurants ▲ simulated training for food poisoning response ▲ campaigns to eradicate overcharging ▲ provision of hygiene products benefits ▲ and holding kindness education and resolution meetings for lodging business owners.
Since proclaiming 2024 as the Year of Visit to Gimhae last November, official websites for the two major sports competitions have been launched, promotional facilities installed, and promotions through social networking services (SNS) and the media are ongoing.
Mayor Hong said, "With over 130 mega-events taking place in Gimhae, national teams, overseas compatriots, and tens of thousands of visitors will come to our city," adding, "Successful hospitality cannot be achieved by administration alone."
He continued, "We ask our citizens to use public transportation as much as possible and to walk for short distances near event venues," and urged, "Please follow the guidance for safety even on the day of the events."
"Especially since the opening ceremony of the sports festival will be held on a Friday evening, residents of Bukbu-dong, where the Gimhae Sports Complex is located, will experience inconvenience," he said, requesting, "The return routes will be congested, but we ask for your understanding."
Furthermore, he stated, "Our goal this year is to attract 10 million tourists through the three major mega-events," and added, "We hope citizens will show interest and affection so that we can successfully carry out each event and create a turning point for our city to make a new leap toward the future."
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