Korea Tourism Organization to Revitalize Island Tourism with Companies on Jebudo, Gapado, and More

Korea Tourism Organization Signs Agreement with Five Local Governments
Pilot Project to Be Conducted on Eight Islands

The Korea Tourism Organization announced on the 27th that it has signed a business agreement with five local governments-Hwaseong Special City in Gyeonggi Province, Boryeong City in South Chungcheong Province, Yeosu City in South Jeolla Province, Tongyeong City in South Gyeongsang Province, and Seogwipo City in Jeju Province-to implement the '2026 Sea-nergy Island-Enterprise Symbiotic Tourism Project.'

Panoramic view of Jehubodo, Hwaseong. Photo by The Asia Business Daily DB

This agreement aims to address the decline in island tourists and the lack of tourism services, and to diversify island tourism content by collaborating with tourism companies. Eight islands under the jurisdiction of these five local governments will participate in the project.

The organization will support the development of tourism content by combining the ideas of tourism companies with the unique natural and cultural resources of the islands. It will be responsible for overall planning and operation, funding for pilot projects, and integrated public relations and marketing. The local governments will be in charge of establishing networks between tourism companies and island communities, and providing administrative support such as permits and approvals.

The participating islands are: Je-But Island and Gukhwa Island in Hwaseong; Wonsan Island in Boryeong; Nangdo Island and Geumo Island in Yeosu; Sangdo Island and Yongho Island in Tongyeong; and Gapado Island in Seogwipo. These islands were selected through a public contest in January, and will collaborate with tourism companies to develop island-specialized tourism programs such as outdoor activities, gastronomy, village experiences, and eco-tours.

Recruitment of tourism companies will take place from the end of March through April via the tourism company support platform TourRaj. Selected companies will participate in pilot projects starting in May, and a nationwide campaign to promote island tourism will also be launched.

The organization plans to link this project with future large-scale island-related events such as the '2026 Yeosu World Island Expo' and '2027 Island Biennale' to increase awareness of island tourism and expand visitor demand.

Lee Hyunjin, Head of the Regional Tourism Content Department at the Korea Tourism Organization, said, "This project is designed to demonstrate island tourism content through a collaborative structure involving the public sector, businesses, local governments, and island residents," adding, "We will provide support to create sustainable tourism models based on the unique resources of each island."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.