“Where can I find a great forest nearby?” ... Korea’s 100 best forests featured on travel platform

[Financial News] Forest tourism information that lets people see beautiful, hidden forests and nearby attractions across the country at a glance and plan a trip will be made available.
 The Korea Forest Service said on the 6th that, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, it will provide location details for the 100 Best Forests of Korea and information on major nearby attractions through Korea Travel & Tourism Guide, a leading domestic travel information platform.
 In 2023, marking the 50th anniversary of national land greening, the Korea Forest Service gathered public input and selected 100 outstanding forest resources from across the country as the “100 Best Forests of Korea.” The partnership was designed to improve access to these forests and naturally connect visits to them with tourism and spending in nearby areas, bringing vitality to local economies.
 Users can easily find basic information, including the names and locations of the forests, on regional maps through the dedicated forest tourism page on the Korea Travel & Tourism Guide platform. They can also download the guidebook to the “100 Best Forests of Korea,” published by the Korea Forest Service.
 As recent travel trends shift away from trips focused on famous attractions, where visitors simply stop by to tick them off a list, toward longer stays centered on experiences such as walking, relaxation and healing, demand for forest trails and natural recreation forests continues to rise. 
Five emblematic sites among the 100 Best Forests have also been selected, and content pairing the forests’ appeal with nearby destinations will be introduced in stages starting on the 6th. The first to be featured is Woljeongsa Fir Forest in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, with Pyeongchang attractions such as Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch, Samyang Roundhill and Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm also recommended. Next to be unveiled are Mansongjeong Forest in Hahoe Folk Village, Andong, North Gyeongsang Province; the Rigitaeda Pine Forest in Gyesan-dong, Daejeon; Cheongwansan Camellia Forest in Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province; and the Seungeon-ri Pine Forest in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province. An event inviting people to share forests they have visited and explain why they recommend them, “Introduce My Favorite Forest,” will also run through the 25th.
 Jang Min-young, director of the Forest Recreation and Healing Division at the Korea Forest Service, said, “We hope this partnership will make it easier for people to encounter beautiful forests in their daily lives and on their travels,” adding, “We will expand forest tourism infrastructure and contribute to revitalizing local areas.”

[email protected] Kim Won-jun Reporter