Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have officially certified 15 locations, including the Yangju City Art Museum, as "wellness tourism destinations" for tourism activities focused on health and healing.
On August 18, Gyeonggi Province held the final review meeting of the "Gyeonggi Wellness Tourism Destination Certification Review Committee" and announced this decision on the 20th.
Wellness tourism is a concept that combines "wellness"-meaning wellbeing, fitness, or happiness-with tourism. It refers to a variety of tourism activities aimed at health, healing, and relaxation. This trend has recently gained global attention. In line with this trend, Gyeonggi Province is actively discovering and fostering Gyeonggi-style wellness tourism destinations that utilize local tourism resources.
Among the major wellness tourism destinations, the Yangju City Art Museum consists of the Jang Ukjin Art Museum and the Min Bokjin Art Museum, showcasing works that represent modern and contemporary Korean art. The museum operates "emotional wellness" programs to help modern visitors find psychological stability through art and nature.
The Gapyeong Arboretum, known as the Morning Calm Arboretum, is a leading arboretum in Korea where visitors can enjoy clean air and the sound of valley streams. With beautiful landscaping throughout all four seasons and a variety of programs, visitors can experience relaxation and tranquility in nature.
The certified wellness tourism destinations will receive support for domestic and international promotion, tourism product development, customized individual consulting, operational capacity-building education, and participation in the "Wellness Tourism Festa." Through these initiatives, the province aims to help each destination develop unique content and establish sustainable tourism models.
Gyeonggi Province believes that this first round of certifications will serve as an important milestone in establishing Gyeonggi-style wellness tourism destinations as a leading tourism brand for the province. The province plans to use this opportunity to attract more domestic and international tourists, create local jobs, and revitalize local businesses, thereby generating tangible benefits.
Jang Hyangjeong, Director of the Tourism Industry Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The wellness tourism destinations selected this time are core resources that will lead the Gyeonggi-style tourism brand. We will actively support efforts to ensure that domestic and international tourists can experience both health and healing in Gyeonggi Province."
Meanwhile, after the enactment of the "Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Wellness Tourism in Gyeonggi Province" in March 2023, sponsored by provincial assemblyman Lee Hankook (Paju 4) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, Gyeonggi Province conducted a "Research Study on the Vitalization of Wellness Tourism in Gyeonggi Province" and is launching the wellness project in earnest this year.
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