Boryeong Mud, Andong Maskdance, Jinju Lanterns: Rising as Global Festivals for International Visitors

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) announced on the 12th that they have newly selected three "global festivals" and four "preliminary global festivals." The initiative is part of a key tourism program aimed at achieving the target of 30 million inbound visitors to Korea ahead of schedule.
The Boryeong Mud Festival, Andong Maskdance Festival, and Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival were chosen as global festivals. The Daegu Chimac Festival, Busan International Rock Festival, Sunchang Fermented Food Festival, and Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival were designated as preliminary global festivals.
Among 45 culture and tourism festivals this year, 27 applied for the program. The final list was drawn up after a combination of document reviews and presentation evaluations. Each global festival will receive up to 800 million won per year for a maximum of three years, while each preliminary global festival will be funded with 250 million won annually.
Previously selected as 2024 global festivals, the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, and Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival together attracted about 130,000 foreign visitors last year.
MCST plans to support the development of experiential content, the design of tour products, and improvements to visitor convenience. It will also work with overseas online travel agencies such as Klook to expand sales of tour packages linked to the global festivals.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young said, "We will promote the development of tourism products centered on the global festivals and improve convenience for international visitors so that interest in K-culture leads people to the festival sites."
jsm64@fnnews.com Jung Soon-min Reporter