Specialization of Ecotourism Industry Utilizing Abandoned Stations and Railways
Selected as an 'Excellent Special Zone'... Received Minister of SMEs and Startups Award
Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Jo Sang-rae) announced on the 29th that the Gokseong Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Train Village Special Zone’) was selected as an excellent special zone in the regional special zone operation performance evaluation hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and received the 'Minister of SMEs and Startups Award.'
The regional specialized development special zone refers to an area where selective regulatory exemptions suitable for the region are allowed to promote balanced regional development, revitalize the local economy, and foster regional specialized industries.
Gokseong Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone was selected as an excellent special zone in the regional special zone performance evaluation conducted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Provided by Gokseong County
This excellent special zone was selected through document and presentation evaluations targeting 181 special zones nationwide.
The evaluation comprehensively assessed the regional economic ripple effects from special zone operations such as job creation and sales increase, performance using regulatory exemptions, local governments’ efforts for successful special zone management, and future development plans.
Since being designated as a special zone in 2005, the Train Village Special Zone has been operated continuously through five changes and extensions of the special zone period. It is recognized for successfully specializing in the eco-tourism industry linked with the Seomjingang River by utilizing abandoned stations and railway tracks.
The area of the special zone, which was initially 236,294㎡ at the time of designation, has been expanded to 940,599㎡ through four changes, significantly broadening its spatial scope and ripple effects.
To date, 16 specialized projects across five fields, including the maintenance of the Train Village experiential tourism facilities, have been completed or are underway within the Train Village Special Zone. Additionally, 13 companies, including Korail Tourism Development, operate businesses within the special zone, directly employing 118 people.
More than 600,000 tourists visit the Train Village annually, playing a pivotal role in the local economy.
A county official stated, "Since being designated as a special zone, we have been able to swiftly and effectively promote various projects through regulatory exemptions such as the Farmland Act and military management plan agenda provisions. We will continue to discover and operate new projects and content in line with tourism demand and trends."
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