Gangwon Tourism Foundation Hosts "Daengdaeng Trekking" at High1 Resort
"Attracting 10,000 Pet-Linked Tourists to Revitalize the Local Economy"
The Gangwon Tourism Foundation (CEO Choi Sunghyun) announced on May 19 that "Daengdaeng Trekking 2025," the largest trekking event in Korea for pet owners and their dogs, was held over two days from May 17 to 18 in the area around High1 Resort in Jeongseon.
Participants lined up at the Gangwon Tourism Foundation promotional booth to join an event during the "Daengdaeng Trekking" held over two days from the 17th to the 18th at High1 Resort. Photo by Gangwon Tourism Foundation
Including the second round of the event scheduled for May 24 to 25, a total of around 10,000 domestic and international pet owners and tourists are expected to participate. The foundation assessed that by hosting this event, it is successfully attracting tourism demand linked to companion animals to Gangwon, thereby injecting real vitality into the region's stagnant tourism industry.
Now in its fifth year, "Daengdaeng Trekking" is the largest trekking event in Korea for pet owners and their dogs, held on the "Untangodo Sky Road," a former coal transportation route that has been transformed into a tourism resource. Participants walked through the highland forest trails with their dogs, rode the Untangodo cable car at High1 Resort to the High1 Top at an elevation of 1,340 meters to enjoy the scenic views of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, and took part in a variety of programs such as the "Daengdaeng Free Zone" (an off-leash area), a book concert by dog trainer Kang Hyungwook, and photo sessions.
Taking this event as an opportunity, the Gangwon Tourism Foundation is focusing on discovering and expanding exhibition and complex industry (MICE)-type pet tourism content connected to the local commercial districts. In particular, during the event, the foundation collaborated with the nearby Gohan Gugongtan Market to operate experiential programs such as the "Daengdaengi Contest," "Gyeonsaengnecut" (photo booth for dogs), and the "Daengdaengi Outdoor Restaurant," encouraging participants to visit the traditional market and engage in stay-type consumption.
Through this case, the foundation confirmed the feasibility of exhibition and complex industry (MICE)-type tourism content that combines companion animals, nature, and local commercial districts, and plans to continue discovering high value-added tourism content in cooperation with the private sector and local communities.
Choi Sunghyun, CEO of the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, stated, "Daengdaeng Trekking is a representative example of Gangwon-style MICE content that reflects the new demand for pet-friendly travel," and added, "We will continue to actively attract and support sustainable tourism models that allow both nature and the local economy to thrive in cooperation with the community."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
