‘Goteo·Sebit Tourist Zone’ The First Tourist Zone Embracing the Han River
Expected Economic Effect of 9 Trillion Won Over the Next 5 Years
The area from the Express Bus Terminal to Banpo Hangang Park has been designated as the first tourism special zone embracing the Han River, and is expected to emerge as a global tourist city combining tourism, shopping, and nature.
Seocho-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 30th that the area from the Express Bus Terminal to Banpo Hangang Park (approximately 0.84㎢) was officially designated and notified as the ‘Goteo·Sebitseom Tourism Special Zone’ on the 26th.
This tourism special zone is the eighth to be designated in Seoul, following Itaewon, Myeongdong·Namdaemun·Bukchang, Dongdaemun Fashion Town, Jongno·Cheonggye, Jamsil, Gangnam MICE, and Hongdae Cultural and Arts Tourism Special Zones.
The area from the Express Bus Terminal to Banpo Hangang Park is a transportation hub accessible via 79 nationwide bus routes and subway lines 3, 7, and 9. In addition, it houses tourist and shopping facilities such as the underground shopping mall Gotomall, which boasts 44 years of history, and Shinsegae Department Store, as well as Banpo Hangang Park where events like Sebitseom, the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, and the Jamsugyo Ttubok Ttubok Festival are held. It is estimated that 1.19 million foreign tourists visit annually.
However, despite the abundant tourism infrastructure, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in tourist visits and a downturn in the commercial district. In response, the Gotomall Merchants Association and Shinsegae Central City Co., Ltd. proactively proposed the designation of a tourism special zone to Seocho-gu.
In particular, the opening of the underground public pedestrian passage connecting the Express Bus Terminal and Banpo Hangang Park secured connectivity between the two areas, accelerating the promotion of the ‘Goteo·Sebitseom Tourism Special Zone.’ Also, the pedestrian crossing at Banpodong Intersection, a 15-year long-standing project, faced opposition from Gotomall underground shopping mall merchants due to livelihood concerns, but they united for the tourism special zone initiative and ultimately opened a complete ‘□’-shaped pedestrian crossing by installing new crossings on the south and east sides on the 9th.
Through these efforts, the district achieved the final designation of the ‘Goteo·Sebitseom Tourism Special Zone’ on the 26th. The district stated that this success was supported by the full cooperation and support of National Assembly members Jo Eun-hee and Shin Dong-wook, Seoul Metropolitan Council Chair Choi Ho-jung, Seoul Metropolitan Council Operations Committee Chair Lee Suk-ja, and city and district council members who continuously worked for the designation and regional development.
Jung Gwi-yeon, CEO of Gotomall, said, “We are promoting various revitalization measures for the commercial district, including introducing a foreigner tax refund system.” He added, “We hope that various measures to attract tourists, such as having the Seoul City Tour bus stop at Gotomall and expanding parking facilities, will be prepared in the future.”
Once designated as a tourism special zone, various benefits such as preferential interest rates and loan support for convenience and accommodation facilities can be received according to related laws. Additionally, performances and food services in public spaces will be allowed, and a budget of 1.037 billion KRW will be supported to revitalize the tourism special zone. As this designation is expected to generate an economic ripple effect of about 9 trillion KRW over the next five years, promoting tourism linked with the Seocho Cultural Belt and Gangnam Station commercial district is anticipated to greatly contribute to the economic revitalization of Seocho-gu.
Going forward, various projects will be pursued to activate the tourism special zone, including establishing an integrated wayfinding system, installing art lighting in idle spaces of the underground public pedestrian passage, operating specialized programs utilizing the Express Bus Terminal infrastructure densely packed with various fashion and beauty products, constructing an elevator from Banpodaero down to Banpo Hangang Park, and opening the pedestrian crossing at the Express Bus Terminal intersection.
District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “Taking this tourism special zone designation as an opportunity, we will do our best to develop Seocho-gu into a global tourist city and inject great vitality into the local economy, including the regional commercial district.”
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