Hongcheon attracts 41 sporting events this year; two major provincial games to draw 14,600 next year

[Financial News, Hongcheon = Kim Gi-seop, reporter] Hongcheon County, which has held 41 sporting events so far this year, is gearing up to host two provincial-level games next year involving 14,600 people, focusing on turning sports visitors into revenue for local businesses.
According to Hongcheon County on the 29th, it secured 49 competitions this year—including 15 provincial-level, 31 national-level and three international events—as well as sports-specific training camps. As of the 28th, it had hosted 12 provincial-level and 26 national-level competitions, and all three international events had concluded.
With competitions taking place throughout the year, out-of-town visitors, including athletes, officials and family members, keep coming. National competitions held over several days and training camps can generate spending not only on lodging and meals but also at traditional markets, convenience stores and tourist attractions, creating steady demand for local businesses. Another advantage is that events are spread across the seasons rather than concentrated in one period, helping sustain demand for lodging and dining and generating tourism and food-related spending before and after competitions.
Last year's results bear this out. Hongcheon hosted 57 sporting events last year—20 indoors and 37 outdoors—over 170 days, drawing 232,839 visitors.
Large-scale events beyond sporting competitions are also being held one after another. On the 28th, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Red Cross Volunteer First Aid Competition and One Heart Festival took place at Hongcheon Gymnasium, bringing together around 1,000 Red Cross volunteers and officials from 18 cities and counties across the province. National and provincial-level events, including competitions related to the Living Righteously Movement, are also planned.
The scale will grow further next year. The 20th Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities will be held entirely in Hongcheon over three days, from May 19 to 21 next year, with delegations of around 2,600 taking part in 24 sports. This will be followed by the 62nd Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sports Festival, held over five days from June 4 to 8, with delegations of around 12,000 competing in 43 sports. Hongcheon will host 30 of those sports, including athletics and soccer.
The county expects the two events to bring in around 14,600 athletes and team members alone, with officials and family members adding further activity across lodging, restaurants, traditional markets and retail. It plans to link local restaurants, traditional markets and tourist attractions so participants do more than compete and leave. It also aims to encourage out-of-town visitors to stay longer and thereby grow the living population. Since the living population is factored into calculations for the ordinary local allocation tax, the county expects this to support local finances as well.
Hongcheon County Governor Shin Young-jae said, “More than 40 competitions have been held this year alone, and more than 230,000 athletes and related personnel visited Hongcheon last year. We will strengthen links with local businesses so visitors can explore restaurants, traditional markets and tourist attractions and stay longer even after their competitions, and we will make thorough preparations for next year’s Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities and Provincial Sports Festival.”

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