Songho Beach in Haenam Sees a Surge, Nearly 20,000 Visitors in One Month

18,000 Visitors Flock to Songho Beach, Up 4,000 from Last Year
Small-Scale Busking Replaces Large Concerts as Main Attraction

Haenam County in South Jeolla Province announced on August 20 that a total of 17,893 vacationers visited Songho Beach over the past month, starting from July 18.

This figure represents an increase of 32.2% (4,356 people) compared to the same period last year, when 13,537 visitors were recorded. It is seen as an indicator of a full-scale recovery in travel demand in the post-COVID-19 era. The sharp rise in visitors this year is attributed to the successful implementation of a wide range of programs catering to all age groups.

17,893 vacationers visited Haenam Songho Beach in the past month. Provided by Haenam County

Instead of hosting large-scale performances, the county organized small-scale busking events throughout the period and installed a sand sculpture exhibition and a children's playground featuring a water slide and air pool. In addition, water leisure activities such as banana boat, paddleboard, fly fish boat, and rafting boat experiences were offered, along with a beach pub serving local specialties, all of which received positive feedback.

In particular, interactive on-site events such as paddleboard endurance and racing competitions, group rafting boat matches, and OX quizzes were held, where participants could win water leisure experience vouchers and abalone, a local specialty of Haenam. These events created memorable experiences for vacationers. The beach water playground and exotic photo zones also gained great popularity, attracting a wide range of visitors including families, young people, and international tourists.

To ensure a safe and pleasant beach environment, the county deployed safety and cleaning staff before and after the opening of the beach, and expanded safety facilities such as safety and night buoys and rescue equipment. The county also established a cooperative system with related organizations to thoroughly ensure the safety of visitors.

A county official stated, "Haenam's beautiful natural environment and diverse content have come together to create the best summer beach," adding, "We will continue to do our best to operate a vibrant and safe beach in the future."