Busan Expands Wellness Tourism with New Destinations for 2024

Busan, South Korea – The city of Busan is expanding its wellness tourism sector in 2024, with plans to introduce new destinations and programs designed to enhance health and relaxation-focused travel. The initiative aims to strengthen Busan’s position as a key player in the growing global wellness tourism market.

Starting today, the Busan city government and the Busan Tourism Organization are opening a public nomination process to identify new wellness tourism sites. The expansion adds two new categories—Stay and Food—to the existing themes of Nature (forest and ocean healing), Spa/Beauty, and Yoga/Meditation.

The nomination process runs from September 9 to September 27, encouraging local districts and communities to suggest potential wellness destinations. These suggestions will be evaluated based on infrastructure, potential for growth, and their ability to offer unique wellness experiences that promote relaxation and well-being.

Busan’s six existing wellness destinations, including Ahopsan Forest and the Gwangalli SUP Zone, will also continue to receive support. These destinations have been providing visitors with experiences like forest therapy, yoga, and water-based activities.

"Wellness tourism is gaining more interest, and Busan has a strong foundation to offer unique experiences with its natural resources," said a representative from the Busan Tourism Organization. "This year, we're adding new dimensions to wellness with stay and food experiences, aiming to create well-rounded offerings for tourists."

In addition to expanding destinations, the city will launch a Wellness Tourism Academy to train professionals in the field. The academy will run from September 10 to October 22, offering six sessions for 30 participants. These trainees will later contribute to operating wellness programs across the city.

New wellness experiences are also scheduled to start in mid-October. These will include activities such as forest meditation and SUP yoga at Gwangalli Beach, where participants can practice yoga on paddleboards in the water.

To promote these initiatives, Busan recently unveiled a new brand image (BI) for its wellness tourism sector. The design was selected through a public contest and features elements representing Busan’s natural scenery and coastal beauty. The branding will be used in marketing efforts to attract both domestic and international tourists.

The city plans to promote these wellness experiences more broadly to ensure that Busan is recognized for its offerings in health, relaxation, and well-being.

The process of selecting new wellness destinations will be completed in October, with results to be announced later in the month. The chosen sites will receive targeted support to improve branding, marketing, and visitor experience.

As wellness tourism continues to grow in popularity, Busan’s efforts to expand this sector aim to attract visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The city’s natural beauty, combined with its focus on health and well-being, positions it well to tap into this trend.