Why Smiles Bloom in Hapjeong Sky Road Commercial Area, Mapo-gu?...Top Sales Increase

Increase in Tourists and Over 10% Sales Growth in Commercial Area After Hapjeong Sky Road Development
Improving Street Environment and Collaborating with Merchants and Local Artists for Sustainable Development
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "We Will Discover Various Cultural Tourism Resources with Local Characteristics"

In the Hapjeong Sky Road commercial district of Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su), smiles are blooming brightly.

Among Seoul's local brand commercial districts in 2023, the Sky Road district achieved the highest sales increase, with sales reaching 4.2 billion KRW in the fourth quarter of 2023, up more than 10% from 3.7 billion KRW in the third quarter.

This coincides with the time when Mapo-gu accelerated efforts to revitalize the Sky Road commercial district.

Since September last year, Mapo-gu has transformed the area from Hapjeong Station Exit 7 to Mapo Saebit Cultural Forest into a unique "Sky Road" with sky-blue roads.

Sky Road is a region rich in historical and cultural resources, featuring about 190 shops including independent bookstores, distinctive cafes, and popular restaurants, as well as Mapo Saebit Cultural Forest, Yanghwa Ferry, Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine, and the Foreign Missionaries' Cemetery. Even with its existing resources alone, it held great potential to boost the local economy.

Seizing this opportunity, Mapo-gu preserved Hapjeong's tranquil atmosphere and connected the commercial district with historical and cultural assets to create "Sky Road," another landmark following the "Hongdae Red Road."

Additionally, to create a cozy atmosphere at night, the streets were decorated with Milky Way lights, and in line with the Sky Road theme of "wishes," a resting area in front of Hapjeong Station Exit 7 was transformed into "Wish Plaza," featuring a wish tree that attracted tourists' attention.

Furthermore, Mapo-gu hosted various events such as the Wish Ball event and cherry blossom festivals involving nearby shops and local artists, driving sales and widely promoting the unique value of Sky Road.

An official from the district stated, "Rather than creating new content, we utilized the historical and cultural resources unique to the Sky Road commercial district to maintain Hapjeong's atmosphere and identity while promoting the mutual development of the local commercial area. It is very meaningful that many tourists are visiting Hapjeong Sky Road, which has a different charm from Hongdae Red Road."

Mapo-gu plans to continuously enhance and improve the street environment and promote collaboration with merchants and local artists to ensure the brilliant rise of the Sky Road commercial district.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "Mapo-gu is filled with diverse cultural tourism resources with unique local characteristics. We will continue to discover and utilize Mapo's resources to revitalize the local economy and attract tourists."