The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' Largest Public Contest Project
Tongyeong Chosen as the First Site
Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province has been selected as the first site for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' 'Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City Development Project', which has a budget of over 1 trillion won.
On July 30, Governor Park Wansu personally announced at the provincial government press center, "We have been finally selected for the Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City public contest project."
Inspired by Cancun, the famous tourist destination in Mexico, and dubbed the 'Korean-style Cancun', this project aims to create a global marine leisure tourism hotspot by combining private investment and government support to enhance the region’s marine resources and cultural appeal.
This is the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ largest public contest project, with a total budget of 1.14 trillion won, including 940 billion won in private investment, 100 billion won in national funds, and 100 billion won in local government funds.
Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu is announcing the selection news of Tongyeong's complex marine leisure tourism city contest project together with Tongyeong Mayor Cheon Younggi (right). Photo by Lee Seryung
The South Gyeongsang provincial government plans to establish a 'marine accommodation zone' and a 'marine leisure zone' at the project site, connecting island-to-island yacht tours, marine taxis, amphibious buses, and other region-specific marine tourism transportation services.
In Suwol-ri, Dosan-myeon, Tongyeong, which will serve as the marine accommodation zone, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts will invest 800 billion won to construct a resort with 1,070 rooms in three phases by 2037.
In connection with this, transportation and cultural facilities will also be expanded, including a marine complex terminal for passenger ships, marine taxis, and marine buses; D-Island 570, a digital exhibition hall featuring Tongyeong’s 570 islands; and a floating media art performance hall themed on the music of Yun Isang.
In the marine leisure zone at Donam Tourism Complex in Donam-dong, Kumho Resort will invest 140 billion won to build a new resort with 228 rooms by 2029, in addition to the existing accommodation facilities with 272 rooms.
Facilities will also be constructed to support the yacht industry, including a yacht industry support center for marine education and start-up support, Marine Harbor Pool?a year-round spa and swimming pool using seawater, and onshore yacht mooring facilities for small yachts and motorboats.
Plan for Tongyeong Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City Development Project. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
The provincial government forecasts that, once the Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City is established, it will attract 2.54 million new tourists annually, generate 324.3 billion won in local tourism spending, and create 2,454 new jobs.
They also expect that yacht-based marine leisure activities, such as hopping tours that allow visitors to experience various activities while traveling between islands, will become more popular and that stay-type tourism will expand. In addition, infrastructure needed for yacht operation, maintenance, and storage will be enhanced, forming a marine leisure industry ecosystem capable of hosting domestic and international yacht competitions.
Through this, it is anticipated that the southern coast of South Gyeongsang will be reborn as a global comprehensive marine tourism hub, equipped with marine leisure sports, the yacht industry, nature tourism, and culture and arts, much like Sydney in Australia or the Mediterranean coast of Europe.
Governor Park stated, "Since the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, we have set out a vision and plan to make the entire southern coast a world-class marine tourism belt, establishing the Tourism Development Bureau and the Southern Coast Division, and have worked hard to develop the Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City." He evaluated, "This final selection in the contest is the result of South Gyeongsang’s efforts and marks the beginning of a leap forward for the southern coast’s tourism industry for future generations."
He added, "With the recently designated southern coast island-connecting marine national highway route and the establishment of the Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City, Tongyeong will truly become an international marine tourism hub city. By integrating various contents such as marine tourism, wellness (healing) tourism, and marine leisure centered on the southern coast, a world-class complex marine tourism belt will be established in South Gyeongsang."
Mayor Chun Younggi of Tongyeong said, "Tongyeong is home to the beautiful scenery of Hallyeo Waterway, abundant food, a mild climate, and unique culture and arts. Based on being selected as the nation’s first Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City, we will closely cooperate with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, South Gyeongsang Province, private companies, and experts from various fields to create a world-class marine leisure tourism destination."
On this day, Governor Park reiterated the need for the enactment of the 'Special Act on Tourism Promotion in the Southern Coastal Zone', which was proposed last month, stating, "To make the southern coast a growth engine for Korea and a driving force for South Gyeongsang’s development, securing accessibility, attracting investment, and easing regulations are key."
He predicted that the recent designation of the southern coast island-connecting marine national highway and the selection of the Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City development project would have a positive impact on the enactment of the special act for the southern coast.
Governor Park said, "We are improving accessibility with the southern inland railway and the southern coast island-connecting marine national highway, and are working to attract investment by building accommodation facilities such as hotels and resorts, with plans to continue these efforts. However, regulatory easing is largely included in the southern coast special act, so we plan to work with South Jeolla Province and Busan City to ensure the bill passes."
He continued, "Due to various political circumstances, the bill’s passage has stalled since the end of last year, but when I visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s bill subcommittee recently, I was told that if we adjust certain parts of the bill’s schedule, there should be no major obstacles to its passage. I believe that if we continue our efforts, the southern coast special act will be passed," he added.
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