As the '2026 Yeosu World Island Expo' approaches its closing date, international visitors from around the globe are flocking to the event, keeping the spirit of international exchange alive through the final weekend.
Notably, traditional Hawaiian performances, experiences for foreign influencers in island tourism, and visits from prominent overseas figures have drawn attention, positioning Yeosu as a key player in international marine tourism exchange.
According to the organizing committee of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, on October 31, foreign visitors from Hawaii, Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and the United Kingdom toured the exhibition halls and participated in various cultural events.
A delegation from Hawaii, including performers, visited Yeosu. The group toured major exhibition facilities and, during the evening's 'Island Friends Day,' the Hawaiian performance team showcased traditional dances and music, receiving enthusiastic responses from the audience.
The presence of foreign influencers also attracted attention.
Ninety-five participants from the 'Sum & Sip' campaign, aimed at promoting tourism to the southern coastal islands, visited the expo. Among them, 60 are foreign influencers active in Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
During the day, they explored local distilleries and island villages in Yeosu, experiencing the region's culture and tourism resources. In the evening, they toured the exhibition halls with guidance from local tourism interpreters.
Participants are expected to share their experiences of Yeosu's islands and expo content on their social media platforms, which is anticipated to aid in promoting southern coastal island tourism to international tourists.
Foreign visitors also took part in the 'Island Carnival,' a modern reinterpretation of the traditional masquerade festival from Yeosu's Nando Island.
Participants donned traditional masks and costumes, capturing commemorative photos while experiencing the culture of the Nando Carnival, which had faded away over 50 years ago. This traditional culture, rooted in the lives of island residents, has been transformed into a festival enjoyed by visitors from various nationalities.
Visits from prominent overseas figures continued as well.
On October 27, a delegation led by President Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar, Tanzania, visited the expo, followed by a visit from Seiji Hamada, the governor of Kochi Prefecture in Japan, on the 28th.
On the 29th and 30th, large cruise ships from the United States and China docked at Yeosu Port, allowing more international tourists to attend the expo.
Notably, the Chinese Adora Cruise's 85,000-ton 'Adora Mediterranea' brought around 2,000 tourists, who visited the expo in groups of 50 buses on the 30th.
Earlier, on the 29th, the American Holland America Line's 'Westerdam' had 321 passengers participate in a group tour, with 38 crew members also visiting the expo as part of a familiarization tour.
The influx of overseas delegations, cruise tourists, and foreign influencers is seen as an opportunity to broaden the expo's role in international exchange and promote southern coastal island tourism.
However, to ensure that these achievements are not merely one-time events, ongoing efforts are needed to develop island tourism products linked to the international tourism market, increase local spending by cruise tourists, and maintain international exchange networks.
The '2026 Yeosu World Island Expo,' themed 'Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,' opened on September 5 and will run for 61 days until November 4 at the Jinnam District of Dolsan in Yeosu, as well as the Yeosu World Expo site and the islands of Gaedo and Geumo. The final weekend before the closing will feature the 'Island Carnival' and a special seafood exhibition from Gwangju, Jeonnam, along with the 'Sunset Cinema' at the media facade of the theme island from November 1 to 3.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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