Lowered Bar Attractions... Legoland and the Third Tunnel Become 'Open Tourist Sites'

Renovation and Repair of Walkways and Facilities for Vulnerable Tourists
Sosu Seowon, Hapcheon Film Theme Park Also Selected

Chuncheon Legoland and Paju Third Tunnel will be developed as accessible tourist sites.

Sosu Seowon

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced twenty locations on the 31st as targets for the 'Accessible Tourism Site Development Project.' Accessible tourism sites are projects that support vulnerable tourist groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and families with infants and young children to travel conveniently and safely. Walking paths, ramps, and usage and convenience facilities at tourist sites are renovated and repaired, and experiential content that anyone can enjoy without discrimination is developed. Since 2015 until this month, 162 accessible tourism sites have been developed, accounting for 5.9% of major tourist sites nationwide (2,752 sites).

This year’s additional accessible tourism sites include Chuncheon Legoland, Kim Yujeong Literature Village, Paju Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Geoje Geoje Botanical Garden, Jinju Jinju Fortress, Wolasan Forest of Jinju, Hapcheon Hwangmaesan County Park, Hapcheon Film Theme Park, Gimcheon Jikjisa Samyeongdaesa Park, and Sannaedeul Auto Camping Site. Sangju Sangju International Equestrian Park, Gyeongcheon Island, Andong Yi Yuksa Literature Museum, Yeumteo Village, Yeongju Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, Seonbi Village, Seonbi World, Jeongeup Naejangsan National Park (Naejangsan District), and Jeongeup Gujeolcho Provincial Garden were also included.

Kim Jeonghun, Director of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explained, "These tourist sites were selected after surpassing the highest application rate ever (86 sites). We focused on whether core tourism content can be experienced equally by vulnerable tourist groups and non-disabled people."

Hapcheon Video Theme Park

Half of the judging panel were wheelchair users. They evaluated the tourism appeal and potential for improvement from the perspective of vulnerable tourist groups. Director Kim said, "We expect elderly people who find hiking difficult to be able to reach mountain summits and enjoy the view, and wheelchair users to freely travel Korea’s Confucian academies registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will proceed with design based on customized consulting by experts until the end of the year. From next year, they plan to actively expand facility renovations and customized content for different types of vulnerable tourist groups. Director Kim stated, "We will put the most effort into preparing diverse programs for people with audiovisual disabilities," and added, "We will continue to strive to create an equal tourism environment for everyone."