Gwangyang-si, Gokseong County, Gurye County and Hadong County Join Hands to Realize the 'Seomjin River Tourism Era'

【Financial News | Gwangyang-si, Gokseong County, Gurye County and Hadong County = Reporter Hwang Tae-jong】Gwangyang-si of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Gokseong County, Gurye County and Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province have joined hands to realize the 'Seomjin River Tourism Era.'
 The four cities and counties in the Seomjin River region declared the 'Seomjin River Tourism Era' in 2023 and have since jointly pursued the development of an integrated tourism belt. The project was also included in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Southern Region Regional Tourism Development Plan in 2024, laying the foundation for the creation of a regional tourism area.
 They are currently pursuing joint projects, including the Seomjin River Stay specialized project, a circular tour bus connecting tourist attractions in the four cities and counties, and the Seomjin River Trail 100K.
 According to Gwangyang-si on the 29th, the four cities and counties held the Meeting of the Mayors and County Heads of the Four Cities and Counties in the Seomjin River Region at Gokseong County Office that day. About 30 people, including the heads of the four local governments, Jeonnam Tourism Foundation officials and working-level public officials, attended. They shared the progress of the Seomjin River Integrated Tourism Belt development project and discussed cooperation measures for the successful implementation of the Southern Region Regional Tourism Promotion Project.
 Gwangyang Mayor Park Seong-hyeon emphasized, "The Seomjin River is a valuable asset that connects Gwangyang, Gurye, Gokseong and Hadong beyond administrative boundaries. We will actively cooperate to link the appeal of each region, enhance the tourism competitiveness of the entire Seomjin River region, and develop it into Korea's leading regional tourism destination where more visitors stay and return."
 They also received updates from the Jeonnam Tourism Foundation on the status of the Southern Region Regional Tourism Promotion Project, major regional tourism projects—including the Seomjin River Stay specialized project, which will be carried out through 2033—and future plans before discussing detailed cooperation measures.
 At the first meeting held since the launch of the ninth popularly elected local administration, which also served as an introductory gathering, the participants shared the direction of joint tourism policies for the Seomjin River region and agreed to further strengthen the cooperation system among local governments that share the same living, cultural and tourism areas.
 In particular, the four cities and counties agreed to cooperate in creating a tourism environment that connects ecological, cultural and tourism resources centered on the Seomjin River under a single brand, enabling the entire region to be recognized as one travel destination. They will also work together to establish Korea's leading regional tourism destination, where visitors can naturally travel between and stay in multiple areas.

[email protected] Hwang Tae-jong Reporter