Hosting Major Events Including Professional Volleyball, Triathlon, Go, and LPGA
Over 100,000 Visitors Expected
Anticipated Boost for Tourism and the Local Economy
From October 16 to 19, the LPGA BMW Ladies Championship will be held for four days at Haenam Pine Beach Golf Links. Provided by Jeonnam Province
Jeollanam-do, a region renowned for its rich flavors and vibrant culture, is solidifying its reputation as a sports hub by hosting a series of international and professional sports events.
Major international competitions, including professional volleyball, triathlon, Go, and the only official Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament in Korea, are being held one after another. As a result, the entire Jeollanam-do area is transforming into an autumn festival stage where sports and tourism come together.
From September 13 to 28, the NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament will take place at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu. Fourteen men’s and women’s V-League teams, along with two invited teams, will compete fiercely over 16 days. With an average attendance of around 3,000 spectators per game, the tournament is expected to generate an economic impact of approximately 8.2 billion won.
The global challenge of triathletes, who push their physical limits, is another highlight. From September 26 to 29, the Ironman Gurye Korea will be held in Gurye. Over 900 athletes from Korea and abroad will complete a total course of 226 kilometers, consisting of a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer cycle, and a 42.2-kilometer marathon, showcasing their remarkable spirit of challenge. Top finishers will earn a spot at the World Championship. Gurye has established itself as a mecca for triathlons, with thorough safety management in place.
Competitions that highlight the intellectual appeal of sports will also follow. From September 29 to October 2, the Kuksu Mountain Range International Go Tournament will be held in Shinan and Yeongam. Sixteen top players from Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan will compete in a tournament format, and including the amateur competition, a total of about 1,100 participants will take part.
About 100 overseas players will also experience the culture and tourism of the southern region, simultaneously showcasing the appeal of both Go and Namdo tourism. The tournament will be broadcast live, drawing the attention of Go fans both domestically and internationally.
From October 16 to 19, the LPGA BMW Ladies Championship will be held for four days at Haenam Pine Beach Golf Links, featuring the world’s top 70 ranked players and 8 invited athletes.
This tournament, which has a total prize fund of 2.3 million dollars (approximately 3.2 billion won) and a winner’s prize of 345,000 dollars (about 480 million won), is the only official LPGA tournament held in Korea. With an expected attendance of 50,000 to 60,000 visitors, it is anticipated to inject significant vitality into the tourism and hospitality industries of the southwestern region, centered around Mokpo and Haenam.
With these sports events taking place across Jeollanam-do, more than 100,000 visitors are expected to gather. This influx is projected to boost overall consumption in accommodation, transportation, food, and tourism, invigorating the local economy and contributing to an increase in the resident population.
Yoo Hyunho, Director of the Tourism and Sports Bureau of Jeollanam-do, stated, "We will do our utmost to vitalize the local economy through the successful hosting of international events and to establish Jeollanam-do as a center for sports and tourism."
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