Gwangju Metropolitan City to Attract 3 Million Tourists by Linking World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea and Gwangju Biennale

【Financial News Jeonnam-Gwangju = Reporter Hwang Tae-jong】 Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (Gwangju Metropolitan City) plans to attract three million tourists by linking the 2026 World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea, the first major international event to be held since the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, with the 16th Gwangju Biennale. The events will run from September 5 to November 4 and from September 5 to November 15, respectively.
 In particular, the city will significantly expand stay-based and experiential tourism products so that visitors do more than make one-time trips and instead remain in the region longer while fully experiencing the appeal of Jeonnam-Gwangju.
 Kim Seon-ja, head of Gwangju Metropolitan City’s New Vitality Promotion Division, emphasized, "The Gwangju Biennale and World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea are opportunities to showcase the appeal of Jeonnam-Gwangju to the entire world."
 Gwangju Metropolitan City will first offer a diverse range of story-driven experiential tourism programs in and around Yangnim-dong, where modern history and art come alive. In particular, an art walking tour will be operated every Friday and Saturday from the 18th through November 14, allowing visitors to explore 10 sites—including Lee Jang-woo House, where a Biennale pavilion has been installed, LEEKANGHA Art Museum, Missionary Wilson’s House, and Leeleenam Studio—with professional docents.
 The city will also officially launch a theatrical tour product in October that recreates Yangnim-dong as it appeared in the 1930s. Yangnim Indie, a series of live performances by independent musicians held in Yangnim-dong’s tranquil exhibition and cultural spaces, is expected to become a memorable attraction for visitors to the area.
 In addition, nine representative regional tourism products for the Honam area will be launched during Honam Tourism and Culture Week, jointly hosted by Jeonnam-Gwangju and Jeonbuk throughout October, to establish a broad tourism network across Honam. Customized art tour products combining lectures by art and humanities instructors with art fairs will attract art enthusiasts, while various themed products, including wellness tourism, will also be introduced.
 The city also plans to work with domestic partner travel agencies to operate one-night, two-day tour packages combining the island exhibition and the Biennale, actively targeting group tourists.
 Gwangju Gourmet Week will also be held for 10 days from October 2 to 11, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the diverse flavors of the southern region. The program will feature Namdo gourmet menus made with seasonal ingredients, culinary travel products taking visitors from farms and production sites to the dining table, and a discount week involving around 50 Gwangju restaurants selected by the Blue Ribbon Survey. It will also include a sustainable gastronomy workshop with local activists, including the Vegan Exploration Group, along with a variety of other programs.
 Gwangju Metropolitan City will provide various forms of support and transportation services to improve tourists’ mobility and satisfaction. First, it will promote an Accommodation Discount Festa in October in connection with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s 2026 second-half Travel Month campaign. By offering accommodation discounts during the major international events, the city aims to reduce visitors’ financial burden and encourage longer stays.
 The city will also hold a visit-authentication short-form video event from September to October through Visit Jeonnam-Gwangju, the official social media service of Jeonnam-Gwangju Culture and Tourism. The event will feature major tourist destinations, including the Gwangju Biennale and World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea. Participants will receive small commemorative gifts, such as mobile coupons, through a random drawing.
 To make transportation more convenient for visitors, a Pavilion Circulation Bus connecting the Gwangju Biennale, National Asian Culture Center (ACC), and Yangnim-dong will operate two to 11 times a day through November 14. Holders of Gwangju Biennale tickets may use the bus without limit on the day of admission.
 A special route of Namdo Hanbakwi, an affordable regional bus tour allowing visitors to conveniently explore event venues and nearby attractions, will also operate 12 times in total during September and October. The plan is to provide a wide range of activities by connecting the main event venues with food and experiential content in surrounding areas.
 Kim Seon-ja, head of the New Vitality Promotion Division, said, "We have carefully prepared everything from accommodation discounts to transportation, experiential activities, and cultural and artistic programs, and I hope many tourists will stay longer and create special memories."

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