41 Tourism Resource Development Projects Launched for 'Chungnam Visit Year'

Completion of Major Tourism Development Projects in Western Inland Region
Total Investment of 348.8 Billion KRW for Chungnam's Flagship Initiatives

Director Beomsu Kim of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau announcing the tourism resource development plan

Chungnam Province will develop and operate flagship tourism products and unique programs linked to local resources in line with the '2025-2026 Visit Chungnam' campaign.

Kim Beomsoo, Director General of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Chungnam Province, held a press conference at the provincial government press center at 10 a.m. on the 10th regarding the Visit Chungnam Year and announced that a total of 41 tourism resource development projects?27 this year and 14 next year?will be completed over two years.

The total project budget is 348.8 billion KRW, allocated as follows: 96.1 billion KRW for four major tourism development projects in the western inland region by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; 29.7 billion KRW for two tourism development projects selected through the ministry's planning contest; 27.8 billion KRW for two coastal and inland tourism development projects by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; 107.5 billion KRW for 26 provincial development projects; and 87.7 billion KRW for seven regional balanced development projects.

Major projects to be completed this year include the construction of the Baekje Cultural Center in Gongju, with a project cost of 29.7 billion KRW, which will feature a permanent performance hall, experience and education facilities, and exhibition halls. The Geumgang Yeoulbokgil development in Geumsan, with a budget of 15.456 billion KRW, will promote historical and cultural experiences, riverside scenery, and river culture activities.

Since 2017, 33.245 billion KRW has been invested in the Yesan Yedangho Good Rural Experience World project, which will include a farm center, observatory, herb garden, and walking trails, and is scheduled to open at the end of July.

The Taean Cheonsuman Ecological Wetland and Tamba-o Project, with an investment of 1.4 billion KRW, will create a 46km circular trail from Changgi-ri in Anmyeon-eup to Gonam-ri in Gonam-myeon.

Projects to be promoted next year include the Boryeong Dam Observation Tower, which will be built in Yongsu-ri, Misan-myeon, with a budget of 5 billion KRW and is scheduled for completion at the end of May. The Nonsan Nature Culture Art Village, with an investment of 25.6 billion KRW, will feature the Sannori Workshop, Art Experience Center, and a camping yard. The Chilgaph Lake Water Tourism Complex will include a water elevator, water camping site, and walking trails.

Additionally, the Deoksan Hot Spring Healing Village, which has been under development since 2019 with an investment of 28.5 billion KRW, will feature a hot spring theme center and healing garden and is scheduled to open in August next year. The Namdang Port Complex Cultural Marine Tourism Attraction Project will include an outdoor performance hall and breakwater landscape improvement to develop it into a year-round stay-type tourist destination.

In addition, the province will carry out comprehensive marketing for local festivals and events, hold K-pop concerts in conjunction with major events such as the Boryeong Mud Festival, and increase the appeal of Chungnam tourism by producing and utilizing goods and emoticons featuring the 'Wody.Guard' character.

Furthermore, unique programs linked to local resources will be developed and operated, such as the Bay Valley Tour Pass, One Month Stay, Eco-friendly Camping Festa, Chungnam Top 100 Restaurants Tour, Retro Romantic Train, and Hot Air Balloon Experience, while actively working to build a friendly image of Chungnam.

In particular, to boost the vitality of the tourism industry, the province plans to implement a specialized guarantee financial program for the Visit Chungnam Year, offering up to 800 million KRW in loans for the food and lodging sectors, with repayment in a lump sum or installments within seven years at an interest rate in the 3% range.

Kim Beomsoo, Director General of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Chungnam Province, said, "We have made extensive preparations for the success of the Visit Chungnam Year, including discovering tourism content, checking readiness, improving the environment, and finding restaurants and accommodations," adding, "We will focus our efforts so that Chungnam can establish itself as Korea's leading culture and leisure hub."