From the 5th to the 3rd of next month, various events including outdoor free performances and performance tourism markets will be held across Seoul
The representative domestic performing arts tourism festival, ‘2024 Welcome Daehangno,’ will take place across various locations in Seoul, including Myeongdong and Cheonggyecheon, from the 5th of this month until November 3rd.
A performance using flags during the 2023 Welcome Daehangno event. [Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]
Welcome Daehangno is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and jointly organized by the Korea Tourism Organization, the Korea Performing Arts Tourism Association, and Jongno-gu Office. Now in its 8th edition, the festival has introduced changes such as expanding the event venues from Daehangno to Myeongdong and Cheonggyecheon, as well as promotions aimed at attracting foreign audiences.
The outdoor free performance segment, ‘Fringe,’ will be held not only in Daehangno but also in the popular tourist spots of Myeongdong and Cheonggyecheon. The duration has been extended from 5 days to a total of 11 days to allow more tourists to enjoy K-performances. The ‘Theater’ program, which discovers and promotes performances capable of attracting foreign audiences, has selected 45 productions, an increase of 11 from last year’s 34.
Various online events have been prepared to vigorously promote outstanding performances. From the 5th to the 21st, on the Welcome Daehangno Instagram, a ‘Comment on the Theater Performance You Want to See’ event will be held, where 50 people will be selected by lottery to receive opportunities to watch performances. Additionally, through the Interpark global page, about 5,000 foreigners will be offered a 20,000 KRW discount coupon for Theater performance tickets.
To develop performing arts tourism products, the Korea Tourism Organization will hold a ‘Performing Arts Tourism Market’ at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square on the 11th. This year, around 200 stakeholders, including overseas performance ticket sales platforms and global OTAs, are expected to attend. The Korea Tourism Organization anticipates that communication with overseas travel industry stakeholders, domestic performance producers, and regional cultural tourism foundations will further invigorate overseas sales of K-performances.
Additionally, on October 12th at 7 PM, a ‘Sing-Along’ event will be held at Daehangno Marronnier Park, where musical actors and audiences will sing musical numbers together. Offline events at Daehangno Marronnier Park (October 12?13) and the KTO Hiker Ground (October 18?20) Fringe will also offer various prizes, including performance tickets.
Park Yunsook, Director of Tourism Content at the Korea Tourism Organization, said, "As the status of Korean musicals and other performances rises in Asia, the Welcome Daehangno festival, a representative performing arts tourism festival, is receiving much attention," adding, "We hope many domestic and international tourists will fully enjoy the charm of K-performances on site during the festival period."
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