Increase in Sales of Small Businesses and Revitalization of Local Economy
Dedicated Bus Operation Enhances 'Sports City' Image
"Cooperation with Kia to Activate Various Sports Industries"
Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung attended the home cheering event held at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on the afternoon of the 25th, supporting Kia's victory. [Photo by Gwangju City]
Gwangju City’s comprehensive support plan for the successful hosting of home games and convenience of spectators, prepared for the KIA Tigers’ 12th Korean Series championship in professional baseball, is being recognized not only for enhancing the city’s image as a sports city but also for significantly revitalizing the local economy.
From the 21st to the 28th, the city implemented various support measures including transportation and parking strategies, public delivery app discount events, and home cheering events for away games. In particular, the outdoor cheering events held at Gwangju Kia Champions Field and the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center attracted about 35,000 citizens, greatly contributing to increased sales for nearby food trucks and local small business owners.
In cooperation with the KIA team, the outdoor cheering events for the 3rd and 4th games of the Korean Series held in Daegu were conducted at Gwangju Kia Champions Field with approximately 23,000 participants. Outdoor cheering events were also held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center plaza during the Korean Series period, with 11,870 attendees. Small business owners and food trucks recorded sales of 240 million KRW during this time.
The operation of dedicated buses for away spectators enhanced the image of “Sports City Gwangju.” On the days of Gwangju home games (1st, 2nd, and 5th games), the city operated 38 dedicated buses to transport out-of-town spectators directly from Gwangju Kia Champions Field to U-Square and Songjeong Station immediately after the games. Additionally, the Gwangju Tourism DRT (Demand Responsive Transport) was intensively operated after the games to provide convenience. During the Korean Series, 1,710 people used the dedicated buses and 331 used the Gwangju Tourism DRT, totaling 2,041 users.
To alleviate parking difficulties around the stadium, the city suspended illegal parking enforcement on roads near Kia Champions Field and deployed police, Gwangju city and district officials, the Model Drivers Association, and volunteers to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Meanwhile, Gwangju City plans to revitalize Gwangju Kia Champions Field through mutual cooperation with the KIA Tigers team by creating a complex sportainment area around the stadium, developing content, and managing facilities.
Mayor Kang Gi-jung said on the 31st, “I sincerely congratulate the KIA Tigers on their 12th Korean Series championship,” and added, “The city will foster various sports-related industries including professional sports to enhance the image of ‘Sports City Gwangju’ and actively support local economic revitalization through sports.”
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