Kangjin County is preparing to attract tourists and revitalize the local economy ahead of the opening of the Kangjin-Gwangju Expressway on December 22.
The strategy aims to improve accessibility between Gwangju and Kangjin, converting day-trippers into overnight visitors who will contribute to local spending.
On November 2, Kangjin County Mayor Kang Jin-won chaired the sixth brainstorming session, focusing on strategies to attract tourists and celebrate the expressway's opening.
During the meeting, a proposal was made to designate a special tourism week from December 23 to January 3, encouraging Gwangju residents and outside tourists to visit Kangjin during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Kangjin County is particularly focused on linking the reduced travel time from the expressway to existing tourism policies.
Key initiatives include discounts or exemptions on tolls, as well as the introduction of half-price travel and bus services. These measures aim to lower transportation and travel costs for visitors.
Additionally, the county is considering stay-type tourism packages that combine lodging with local dining, cafes, and traditional markets to encourage spending in the area.
A promotional slogan, "The Era of 30-Minute Travel on the Kangjin-Gwangju Expressway: Come to Half-Price Kangjin," has been proposed, combining the concept of reduced travel time with affordable travel costs.
The plan also includes a "Homecoming Day" to encourage former residents to visit their hometown, leveraging the expressway opening and the holiday season to increase family visits and create new tourism demand through year-end events.
Other discussed initiatives include welcome performances on the opening day, walking programs linked to local businesses, discounts at restaurants and cafes, special sales of agricultural and marine products, consumer coupons for expressway users, and events for sharing experiences of visiting Kangjin.
Expanding indoor tourism content for family visitors during winter is also a key focus. The county plans to utilize existing cultural and tourism facilities, such as the Celadon Museum, Kangjin Bay Ecological Experience Center, and Kangjin Art Hall, to create experiential and performance programs that connect tourism, dining, and lodging.
Kangjin County plans to focus not only on attracting tourists but also on improving the conditions for accommodating visitors.
The county will conduct pre-opening inspections of roads, lanes, tourism facilities, and urban environments, collaborating with local merchants to enhance cleanliness, hospitality, and pricing in tourism services.
During the holiday period, the county will assess restaurant operations and the convenience of parking and movement for self-driving tourists, while reviewing budgets, staffing, and winter operational feasibility for proposed projects.
However, discussions on toll discounts, exemptions, and consumer coupon distribution are still in the planning stage, with the implementation and specific support scope to be determined after consultations with relevant agencies and budget reviews.
Mayor Kang Jin-won stated, "While promotion is important, we must consider what we can offer to attract visitors from Gwangju to Kangjin. We need to provide unique attractions and experiences that showcase Kangjin's charm to draw more tourists."
As the expressway opens, it remains to be seen whether Kangjin County's strategies for attracting tourists will lead to increased stay durations and higher sales for local businesses.
Meanwhile, Kangjin County plans to finalize special year-end tourism programs in line with the expressway opening and develop follow-up measures to connect tourist attraction with local spending through consultations with relevant agencies and local merchant organizations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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