‘Songpa Tourism Supporters’ Inviting New Members Until the 13th for Visitors Who Come Twice or Thrice

Songpa Tourism Supporters, the Only Volunteer-Run Seoul Tourist Information Center
Majority Are Residents, Fluent in Foreign Languages and Friendly... From Directions to Restaurant Recommendations
602 More Foreign Visitors to Tourist Information Center This Year... Repeat Visits Seeking Supporters' Help
New Recruitment December 3-9... Recruiting 30 People, 10 Each for English, Japanese, and Chinese

#Last fall, a tourist named A from the UK received help from the Songpa Tourism Supporters three times during a 3-night, 4-day trip. After receiving directions by chance at Jamsil Station on the first day of the trip, A traveled around Songpa with recommendations for attractions and restaurants until the last day.

Songpa District (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that it will recruit new members for the ‘Songpa Tourism Supporters,’ who assist domestic and international tourists visiting Songpa, from December 9 to 13.

The Songpa Tourism Supporters are professionals who provide various conveniences such as interpretation and tourism information at the Songpa Tourism Information Center (hereafter the Center). It is the only one among the seven tourism information centers in Seoul that operates on a volunteer basis.

At the Center, there are three supporters fluent in English, Chinese, and Japanese, one for each language, who offer a wide range of services including interpretation, storage of belongings, and rental of strollers and wheelchairs.

In particular, tourists’ satisfaction is high because they can obtain diverse local information from the supporters. Most supporters have long work experience or residency in Songpa, allowing them to introduce hidden history, the latest restaurants, and other charms of Songpa.

Thanks to these efforts, the number of foreign visitors to the Songpa Tourism Information Center increased by 602, from 7,547 between January and October 2023 to 8,149 during the same period this year. Many of these visitors returned to the Center two or three times to receive guidance from the supporters.

The newly recruited Songpa Tourism Supporters will number 30, with 10 selected for each language: English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Anyone who can speak at least one foreign language conversationally, can commit to activities twice a week for over a year, and is available on weekends and holidays due to the nature of the tourism industry is eligible to apply.

Applications can be submitted by downloading and filling out the application form from the Songpa District website and then visiting the Tourism Promotion Division at the district office or sending it via email by December 13.

The selected Songpa Tourism Supporters will be commissioned and receive job training in February next year and will be active for two years starting March 1. Their main activities include operating and managing the Center, selling tourism souvenirs, and working at mobile tourism information booths.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa District, said, “The Songpa Tourism Supporters serve as private diplomats who promote not only Songpa but also the charm of the Republic of Korea to tourists from around the world,” and added, “We hope many capable individuals will participate to contribute to the development of tourism in Songpa.”