The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have announced the selection of five new “Specialized Night Tourism Cities” in South Korea. This exciting announcement brings the total number of “Night Tourism Specialized Cities” in the country to seven, including Incheon Metropolitan City and Tongyeong City, which were selected in 2022. The five new cities chosen through a competition offer unique and distinctive nighttime experiences to visitors.
The five new cities to showcase their unique night tour experiences are Busan Metropolitan City and Daejeon Metropolitan City, in the “Global Attractions” category, and Gangneung City, Gangwon-do, Jeonju City, Jeollabuk-do, and Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, in the “Ingenious Growth Support” category. Each city offers something special for tourists seeking a unique night tour experience.
Gangneung City, known for its natural beauty and cultural sites, plans to amplify its already popular tourist spots by adding night lighting and special programs. Visitors can now enjoy attractions such as Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum, Ojukheon House, and Gyeongpohosu Lake, all illuminated in a captivating display of light. Jeonju City‘s “Upside-Down Jeonju” project aims to take visitors on a journey through the city’s cultural and artistic charm, reimagined in a new light at night. Meanwhile, Jinju City will combine its renowned lantern landscape, showcased annually during the “Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival,” with the natural resources of Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress, for a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience.
Busan Metropolitan City is expanding its night tourism offerings beyond the popular Haeundae and Gwangalli areas to include the scenic Suyeonggang River and Yongdusan Park. The city is developing a variety of programs that will utilize Busan’s seven distinctive bridges, and a Pink Pong sculpture will be added along the Suyeong River to enhance the city’s unique night tour experience. On the other hand, Daejeon Metropolitan City is aiming to attract MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism by creating an urban night view that combines the Expo Bridge, EXPO Hanbit Tower, Daejeon Shinsegae Art & Science, and the historic business district of Daejeon.
According to the “Night Tourism Survey” conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization in 2022, night tourism generates about KRW 1.359 trillion in production and employment for 15,835 people annually. The local governments selected as “Night Tourism Specialized Cities” in 2023 expect that night tourism will revitalize their local economies and create more vibrant and sustainable local communities.
Beyond its economic impact, night tourism will help revitalize local communities. The “Night Tourism Specialized Cities” have transformed many spaces, such as local parks, lakes, and alleys, into exciting night tour concepts. The nighttime programs include night drinking, night market tours, park treks, and walking tours, providing tourists with opportunities to enjoy these unique experiences and mingle with local residents.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism aims to turn the “Night Tourism Specialized Cities” into a global hub where people across the globe can gather and experience the Korean night sky. Night tourism is a fresh trend that offers the freedom to explore new destinations at night, breaking away from the conventional daytime travel. It has the potential to transform Korea into a tourism powerhouse, boosting the country’s economy and increasing its global tourism presence.
