Signed MOU with Korea Tourism Organization
Joined Hands for the 'Battery Project to Recharge Tourism Population' Until 2026
Gapyeong County (Governor Taewon Seo) announced on May 14 that it has joined hands with the Korea Tourism Organization to strengthen cooperation aimed at increasing the number of tourists in regions experiencing population decline.
Gapyeong County has joined hands with the Korea Tourism Organization to strengthen cooperation aimed at increasing the number of tourists in regions experiencing population decline. From left: Taewon Seo, Gapyeong County Governor; Kyungsoo Yang, Director of Tourism Industry Headquarters at Korea Tourism Organization; Inhong Hwang, Governor of Muju County, Jeonbuk. Provided by Gapyeong County.
On May 13, Gapyeong County signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Tourism Organization at the organization's Seoul Center for the "2025 BETTERRI (Battery) Project to Recharge Tourism Population in Areas with Population Decline" (hereinafter referred to as the Battery Project).
The Battery Project is a government-led program that supports region-specific tourism pilot projects by applying the creative ideas of tourism venture companies to areas experiencing population decline. At the end of last year, Gapyeong County, together with Muju County in Jeonbuk, was selected for this project, which will run until December 2026.
Under this agreement, the two parties will jointly implement the Battery Project to revitalize local tourism, promote the Battery Project and develop sales channels for local specialty products, and cooperate on administrative and licensing matters to support pilot projects by startups. Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to enhance the competitiveness of Gapyeong's tourism industry and create a sustainable tourism ecosystem.
As a result of this agreement, seven tourism venture companies that were selected in a nationwide competition will carry out pilot projects in Gapyeong to increase the number of tourists. These companies will implement various projects to attract tourism-related residents and revitalize the local economy through content such as workation, learning-based travel, and the development of tourism products for visitors with pets.
Governor Taewon Seo stated, "If the innovative planning of tourism ventures is combined with Gapyeong's beautiful natural environment and cultural resources, it will be possible to create new tourism content," adding, "I hope this project will serve as a turning point that transforms Gapyeong into a destination where people want to stay."
Gapyeong County plans to use the results of the Battery Project to establish a regionally specialized tourism model and actively utilize it as a new driving force for responding to population decline and revitalizing the local economy.
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