Sokcho Cruise Inspection Delegation Sets Sail... Visits Major Ports of Call in Hokkaido
Benchmarking for International Cruise Industry Revitalization
Promoting "Visit Gangwon Year" in Japan: Sokcho's Local PR, Exchange, and Cooperation Activities
Sokcho City in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has begun full-scale efforts to revitalize the cruise industry, a high value-added tourism sector.
Lee Byungseon, mayor of Sokcho, is seeing off the cruise delegation departing for Hokkaido, Japan, on the 6th. Provided by Sokcho City
On September 6, a cruise inspection delegation consisting of officials from Sokcho City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, the provincial council, and the Gangwon Tourism Organization departed from Sokcho Port for Hokkaido, Japan. The delegation included Baek Sangyo, Deputy Mayor of Sokcho, Son Changhwan, Head of the Global Headquarters of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Eom Yunsun, Chair of the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Committee of the provincial council, along with other officials from each organization.
The delegation boarded the Costa Serena and, over seven days, will visit major cruise ports of call in Hokkaido, Japan, including Muroran, Kushiro, and Hakodate. They will directly observe cruise port operations and port-of-call programs, and aim to establish a foundation for exchange and cooperation with key Japanese cities to promote the cruise industry.
In addition, a cruise experience group of about 200 local residents is accompanying the delegation, contributing to the popularization of cruise tourism.
The inspection delegation will board the Costa Serena and visit major cruise ports of call in Hokkaido, Japan, such as Muroran, Kushiro, and Hakodate, over seven days. While in Japan, they will directly examine cruise port operation systems and port-of-call tourism programs, seeking ways to apply these to Sokcho Port.
From September 8 to 10, the group will visit key ports of call such as Sapporo, Kushiro, and Hakodate to review cruise reception systems and port-of-call tourism products. On September 10, they plan to discuss specific cooperation measures through an exchange meeting with Hakodate City. On September 11, an onboard agreement ceremony will be held to promote cooperation among cruise-related organizations.
Lee Byungseon, mayor of Sokcho, is taking a commemorative photo with the cruise delegation departing for Hokkaido, Japan, on the 6th. Provided by Sokcho City
The cruise industry is a high value-added sector that brings thousands of tourists at once, generating concentrated local consumption. It has a significant ripple effect across various fields such as accommodation, food and beverage, shopping, and cultural experiences, greatly contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.
Accordingly, Sokcho City is working to ensure that the cruise industry does not remain a short-term event but continues to contribute to the overall local economy by improving tourism infrastructure. The city is also strengthening ongoing networks with cruise lines and travel agencies by inviting cruise line officials and participating in cruise port sales in collaboration with the Gangwon Tourism Organization.
The local resident cruise experience group accompanying the inspection delegation will play a role in raising awareness of cruise tourism by directly experiencing the appeal of cruise calls at Sokcho Port. Under the slogan "2025 Visit Gangwon Year, Start in Sokcho," they will promote Sokcho tourism to cruise passengers and present a new model for tourism policy.
Lee Byungseon, Mayor of Sokcho, stated, "Sokcho Port, blessed with the natural environment of both Seoraksan Mountain and the East Sea, has the potential to grow as an international cruise port of call. We will do our utmost to ensure that the benefits of attracting cruises spread beyond Sokcho to the entire northern East Sea region." He added, "This inspection and experience group marks a symbolic first step in establishing Sokcho Port as a hub city for cruise tourism."
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