Recognition for Hosting the APEC Summit... Gyeongju Expected to Emerge as a World-Class Cultural Tourism City
Vice Mayor Song Hojun Signs Gyeongju-Phitsanulok Cultural Tourism Exchange Agreement in Thailand
Gyeongju City in Gyeongbuk has been receiving positive evaluations both domestically and internationally for its ongoing efforts to revitalize and advance local tourism.
On the 19th, Gyeongju City announced that Mayor Ju Nak-young received the ‘Best Leader Award for World Heritage Utilization’ at the ‘2025 World Heritage City Night Festival Conference’ hosted by the International Festivals & Events Association Asia (IFEA ASIA) and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), in recognition of his contributions to developing tourism content using world heritage sites.
On the 16th local time, Song Hojun, Deputy Mayor of Gyeongju (left), took a commemorative photo with Amara Srisuchat, Senior Advisor of the Thai Ministry of Culture, after receiving the 'Best Leader Award for World Heritage Utilization' on behalf of the recipient at the awards ceremony held in Phitsanulok, Thailand. [Photo by Gyeongju City]
The award ceremony was held on the 16th local time at the Imperial Hotel in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, where Vice Mayor Song Ho-jun accepted the award on behalf of Mayor Ju Nak-young.
According to Gyeongju City on the 19th, Mayor Ju Nak-young was highly evaluated for hosting the APEC Summit, organizing the Daereungwon Stone Wall Cherry Blossom Festival, and attracting the Asia Festival Cities Conference.
During the conference, the Gyeongju delegation, including Choi Jae-pil, Chair of the Gyeongju City Council’s Steering Committee, visited Thailand and contributed to expanding exchanges in culture, tourism, and festivals with Phitsanulok Province.
Vice Mayor Song Ho-jun attended the conference held locally in Thailand and presented on Gyeongju’s night festival cases and the preparation status for the APEC Summit.
He especially attracted attention by promoting the Asia Festival Cities Conference to be held in Gyeongju this March.
Subsequently, on the 17th local time, the Gyeongju delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cultural tourism exchange with Phitsanulok City.
This agreement was based on the Memorandum of Intent (MOI) on cultural tourism exchange signed last year.
Accordingly, the two cities plan to cooperate in utilizing cultural heritage and developing festivals.
During the visit, the delegation attended the Naresuan King Memorial Ceremony and the night festival at Sukhothai Historical Park, reviewing ideas to integrate with Gyeongju’s night festival.
Vice Mayor Song Ho-jun said, “This conference is an important opportunity to exchange and cooperate on tourism policies among world heritage cities,” adding, “Together with the 2025 APEC Summit, we will make Gyeongju a world-class cultural tourism city.”
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