Stay-Type Tourism, Accommodation Expansion, Gastronomic Content, and Baekmagang National Garden Proposed
Concerns have been raised that Buyeo in Chungcheongnam-do, which attracts more than 2 million tourists annually, is not generating sufficient benefits for the local economy.
Minsoo Kim, a proportional representative of the Democratic Party of Korea in the Chungnam Provincial Council, stressed that "the structural limitation of Buyeo tourism is its low stay rate," emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in tourism policy.
In a five-minute speech during the 4th plenary session of the 362nd regular meeting held on December 15, Assemblyman Kim assessed the current state of tourism in Buyeo and called for a policy transition focused on stay-type tourism.
According to Assemblyman Kim, in 2024, the Baekje Cultural Complex and the National Buyeo Museum in Buyeo ranked second and fourth, respectively, among the top 10 popular tourist destinations in Chungcheongnam-do. The combined annual number of visitors to these two sites was approximately 2.08 million, accounting for 27.8% of the total.
However, Assemblyman Kim pointed out that "the proportion of visitors who proceed to accommodation and spending is remarkably low compared to the number of tourists," citing a lack of infrastructure for accommodation, content, and entertainment as the reasons.
He stated, "Most tourists only make day trips, and there is no environment in place for them to stay," adding, "It is urgent to expand high-quality accommodation facilities that can accommodate family tourists."
He especially emphasized that "the construction of hotels and resort-type accommodations linked to urban tourist resources is the starting point for stay-type tourism."
He also suggested, "It is necessary to develop stay-type tourism programs utilizing the Baekje historical narrative," and proposed increasing the length of stay through history-based tourism routes that are not affected by season or weather, as well as one-night, two-day programs from Seoul to Buyeo aimed at foreign tourists.
Assemblyman Kim argued, "In surveys on factors considered and satisfaction among foreign tourists visiting Korea, culinary tourism accounts for the highest proportion," and insisted that "Buyeo should foster differentiated gastronomic content that combines local food and historical value as a core of its tourism."
He also evaluated the designation of a National Garden as a symbolic project that can strengthen Buyeo's identity as a historical garden city, while simultaneously revitalizing tourism and restoring the local economy.
Assemblyman Kim stated, "Tourism policy should not stop at simply attracting tourists," and emphasized, "We must overcome the crisis of regional decline through stay-type tourism that encourages visitors to stay and spend in Buyeo."
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