2025 National Representative Brand Grand Prize
Pristine Environment and Marine Healing Tourism Content
Wando County in Jeollanam-do won the Grand Prize in the "Most Desired City to Visit" category at the 2025 National Representative Brand Awards.
The awards ceremony was held on May 14, 2025, at the Ambassador Pullman Hotel in Seoul. The event was co-hosted by Maeil Business Newspaper, Maekyung.com, and MBN, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Wando County, Jeollanam-do, won the Grand Prize in the "Most Desired City to Visit" category at the 2025 National Representative Brand Awards. Photo by Wando County
The National Representative Brand Awards select winners based on a comprehensive evaluation of brand awareness, favorability, and preference among consumers nationwide. Wando County received high marks for its pristine natural environment and its unique tourism content, such as marine healing programs.
The county established Korea's first Marine Healing Center, operating 16 therapy programs that utilize marine resources such as seawater, seaweed, and mud. The cumulative number of visitors has surpassed 74,000, and the center has established itself as a stay-type tourism model that combines healing and relaxation, going beyond simple sightseeing.
This year, the county declared 2025 as the "Visit Wando Year" and is promoting a variety of tourism policies and events under the theme "Wando, a Great Place to Travel 365 Days a Year." Earlier this month, the Cheongsando Slow Walking Festival and the Jangbogo Seafood Festival attracted a total of about 113,000 visitors, drawing large crowds.
In particular, the "Wando Healing Pay" program, which subsidizes half of travelers' expenses, has received a strong response and contributed to revitalizing the local economy, including accommodation, restaurants, cafes, and specialty product shops. In June, Wando County will host the International Cittaslow Mayors' General Assembly, followed by the 6th Island Day celebration in August and the Jangbogo Hansang Awards Ceremony in September. The county plans to further enhance its brand value through these national and international events.
Governor Shin Woochul stated, "Marine healing is a field that Wando pioneered for the first time in Korea," adding, "We will continue to solidify our image as the most desired city to visit through Wando's unique tourism programs and strive to become a global marine healing tourism city."
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