Inje County, Gangwon Province, recorded the highest rate of increase in tourist numbers among the 18 cities and counties in Gangwon in October.
According to the recently released "October Tourism Trends in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province" by the Gangwon Tourism Organization, Inje County ranked first in the province with a 31.8% year-on-year increase in tourist numbers. Compared to the previous month, the growth rate was also the highest at 113.0%, demonstrating its competitiveness as an autumn travel destination.
This upward trend is largely attributed to the success of the county's signature autumn event, the "Inje Autumn Flower Festival." Now in its seventh year, the festival covers an area of 82,800 square meters, with 500,000 autumn flowers such as chrysanthemums, verbena, and Kochia planted, establishing itself as a healing festival in nature.
According to an internal survey by the Inje County Cultural Foundation, the festival has surpassed a cumulative total of 300,000 visitors, with the direct economic impact estimated at approximately 34 billion won. Notably, 64% of visitors were from the Seoul metropolitan area, indicating a significant contribution to the local economy and the enhancement of the region's tourism image.
Alongside the Autumn Flower Festival, Baekdamsa Temple and Manhae Village also ranked among the most popular tourist attractions. Events such as the "27th Manhae Festival" and the "100th Anniversary Commemoration of 'Silence of My Beloved'" held at attractions near the festival venue are believed to have further boosted visitor numbers.
To meet the increased demand during the autumn season, the county is currently developing a 15-hectare local garden in the Yongdae-ri area of Buk-myeon. Inje County plans to transform the entire village into a "garden city" in line with the opening of the Chuncheon-Sokcho East-West High-Speed Railway in 2027.
A county official stated, "With the harmonious blend of autumn festivals, cultural events, and natural environment, the number of visitors to Inje County has clearly increased," adding, "We will continue working to make Inje a place where visitors want to stay longer and return again."
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