Nowon-gu - Geumseong Tourism Supports Outings for 2,500 Underprivileged People Over 13 Years

The Path of Sharing Continues with Geumseong Tourism’s Buses

Geumseong Tourism (CEO Kim Tae-il) has been operating a special outing program for the underprivileged in Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) for 13 years since 2011, serving as a model for the local community and receiving applause.

This program is a vehicle support volunteer activity conducted in collaboration with the Nowon-gu Volunteer Center, aimed at helping neighbors in need such as elderly living alone, children from single-parent or grandparent-headed families, single-parent families, and multicultural families to create precious memories and gain new vitality.

The Beginning of Volunteer Activities: For the Sea of Life, Taean

In December 2007, a large-scale oil spill occurred off the coast of Taean, Chungnam, causing great shock at the time and urgently requiring volunteers from all over the country. Geumseong Tourism fulfilled its responsibility to the local community by providing about 100 company buses to the Seoul Volunteer Center, enabling Seoul volunteers to safely travel to Taean and participate in oil removal and environmental restoration activities. This sharing activity by Geumseong Tourism later became the impetus for planning an outing support program for the underprivileged within Nowon-gu.

"Happiness That Comes Every Month, Outing Support"

Geumseong Tourism provides a 44-seat bus once a month, supporting the driver and fuel costs to conduct outing volunteer work. Over the past 13 years, a total of 85 vehicle supports have been provided (510 hours, worth approximately 68 million KRW), allowing about 2,500 underprivileged individuals to spend precious time at tourist attractions in Seoul and Gyeonggi, arboretums, and experiential facilities. The program conveyed more than just a simple trip to participants: it offered warm comfort to elderly living alone by alleviating loneliness, new experiences and learning opportunities to children and youth, and a cultural communication and harmony space for multicultural families.

"Moments of Happiness Given by Outings"

The elderly participants are mostly seniors living alone who usually spend most of their time by themselves, and the outings provided them with valuable rest and the joy of companionship. One elderly participant said, "The vehicle was clean and comfortable, and the driver was kind, so I was able to enjoy the outing with peace of mind and happiness," expressing gratitude. Additionally, a multicultural family shared, "Through the outing, we were able to understand Korean culture more deeply and spend happy time with our family," conveying their thanks.

Continuing the Practice of Sharing

Geumseong Tourism plans to continue operating the outing program in collaboration with the Nowon-gu Volunteer Center, delivering more joy and hope to marginalized neighbors through Nowon-gu welfare-related departments and community centers.

Kim Tae-il, CEO of Geumseong Tourism, stated, "Geumseong Tourism’s outing support embodies our value of ‘happiness together,’ aiming to grow with the local community and practice warm sharing with underprivileged neighbors. We will continue this journey of sharing happiness with our neighbors. We ask for your continued interest and support."