Seoul's 'Hangang Festival' from May to Year-End... 10 New Programs and 7 High-Satisfaction Programs at 11 Hangang Parks
Annual Economic Impact of 120 Billion KRW... Creation of 964 Jobs
By the end of the year, 120 cultural, leisure, and recreational programs will be held across various locations in Seoul's Hangang Park. Large-scale projects are also planned, including events where citizens can directly participate, such as the Hangang Rising Star selection, and a water parade show featuring over 100 boats gathering on the Hangang River. The Seoul Metropolitan Government expects a total of 3 million visitors by the end of the year.
On the 29th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the '2024 Hangang Festival,' based on 120 programs?25% more than last year?will take place from May at 11 Hangang Park locations.
This festival focuses on allowing citizens to directly experience and enjoy the Hangang River through diverse programs that satisfy healthy addiction, fresh curiosity, unexpected fun, daily relaxation, inspiration, and cultural and artistic experiences.
Among the total 120 festival programs, a separate selection of the 'Top 17 Festival Must-Enjoys' has been prepared. These include the 'Hot Pick 10' programs, which are the key highlights introduced this year at Hangang, and the 'Original Best 7,' which are existing programs with the highest citizen satisfaction.
The 'Hot Pick 11' includes ▲Mask Parade ▲Hangang Rising Star ▲10th Anniversary of the Hangang Spacing Out Contest ▲Hangang Jumper Sleeping Contest ▲2024 Hangang College Song Festival ▲Hangang Boat Parade & Contest ▲Paris Tonight (Hangang Swimming Pool Olympics Cheer) ▲Hangang Water Cinema ⑨Pet Owners Gather ▲Gyeomjae Jeongseon Cultural and Artistic Boat Tour. The 'Original Best 7' includes ▲Hangang Silent DJ Party ▲Hangang Starlight Small Theater ▲My Own Hangang Lake Race ▲Hangang Hyuhyu (休休) Swimming Pool ▲Hangang Water Leisure ▲Hangang Paper Airplane Festival ▲Romantic Hangang Christmas Market.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set a goal to attract a total of 3 million visitors this year by offering various programs. To assess how much the Hangang Festival contributes to the local economy when held, the city commissioned the Seoul Institute to analyze its economic ripple effects. The results showed an annual economic impact of 120.6 billion KRW, including 84.4 billion KRW in production ripple effects and 36.2 billion KRW in added value effects. Additionally, the festival is expected to create 964 jobs.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to operate a comprehensive control center during the festival period and conduct thorough pre-inspections and monitoring for each program to ensure that citizens can enjoy all programs safely and securely. Furthermore, they have prepared contingency manuals and feasible programs according to weather conditions such as rain, fine dust, bird flu alerts, heatwaves, and cold waves.
Joo Yong-tae, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Future Hangang Headquarters, said, "The Hangang Festival, held at Hangang?the representative attractive space of Seoul?will welcome citizens with 120 rich festival programs full of fun and inspiration this year as well. Through the festival, we will not only bring joy to citizens but also invigorate the local economy with a dual effect of 120 billion KRW in annual economic impact and the creation of many jobs."
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