Gwangmyeong City to Establish 'Gwangmyeong-type Sustainable Tourism Model'

Pursuing Environmental, Economic, and Socio-Cultural Sustainability in Tourism
Park Seung-won: "We Will Create a New Paradigm for Tourism"

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province is creating a 'Gwangmyeong-type Sustainable Tourism Model' to balance residents' lives and promote regional economic coexistence.

On the 24th, Gwangmyeong City held a kickoff briefing session for the 'Gwangmyeong City Sustainable Tourism Activation Project' at the city hall's medium conference room, attended by about 20 people including Mayor Park Seung-won, city officials, experts, and contractors.

Park Seung-won, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, is explaining the purpose of the project at the kickoff briefing for the 'Sustainable Tourism Promotion Service' held on the 24th in the city hall's medium conference room. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

The city explained that it has embarked on building a related model to establish policy directions and strategies that will lead sustainable development through increased local consumption, extended stays, and job creation by developing a regionally specialized tourism model and vision using the city's human and material resources.

'Sustainable tourism' refers to tourism that goes beyond mere economic benefits of the tourism industry, balancing environmental protection, community development, and the quality of life of tourists and local residents. It is a concept that includes environmental, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability.

Previously, since 2022, the city has been operating the Gwangmyeong-type fair travel program connecting local culture, history, and physical and human infrastructure. In 2023, it also enacted a sustainable tourism ordinance.

The city plans to leverage regional strengths such as lifelong learning, social economy, carbon neutrality, and citizen participation projects to develop the sustainable tourism model. Along with this, it will create tourism programs linked to key facilities such as the Early Childhood Experience Center, Environmental Education Center, and Upcycle Art Center, and systematically nurture and support tourism talents through various educational systems and resident autonomy organizations.

Based on the project results scheduled for completion in June, the city plans to establish the Gwangmyeong-type model and actively promote related policies.

Mayor Park said, "Through this model development, we will create a new tourism paradigm for sustainable regional development beyond simply creating tourist attractions. Through this, we will improve residents' quality of life and invigorate the local economy."