▲ Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Yeojwa Stream, Changwon (Source: Korea Tourism Organization)

Changwon Special City has launched the ‘Travel in Changwon for a Month’ program to promote stay-type tourism. This initiative allows participants to stay in Changwon for an extended period, plan their own itineraries, and experience various local tourism resources. The city aims to shift from short-term visits, to a culture of extended stays; boosting regional promotion and economic revitalization.

This program is open to adults aged 19 and older who reside outside Gyeongsangnam-do. Participants can stay in Changwon for a minimum of four nights (five days) and up to 29 nights (30 days). The application period runs from March 15 to March 31. In the case of foreign nationals and Koreans living overseas, they can apply at any time, regardless of the official recruitment period, to broaden participation opportunities.

Selected participants will be able to use travel incentives within Changwon from April 15 to June 30. Each team will receive accommodation support of KRW 70,000 per night, and individual experience costs will be reimbursed within a range of KRW 70,000 to KRW 100,000 based on actual expenses. From this year, the accommodation support has been increased from KRW 50,000 to KRW 70,000. Additionally, participants will receive an extra KRW 20,000 to cover travel insurance costs.

However, participants are required to visit various tourist attractions in Changwon and post at least two travel reviews per day on their personal social media accounts. Furthermore, Changwon City will evaluate applicants based on their motivation for participation, travel plans, and promotional strategies, selecting a total of 12 teams. The city has also announced that preference will be given to participants with strong social media influence and younger applicants.

Both the city and local business owners expect this program to bring positive changes to the local economy and tourism industry. An increase in long-term visitors is anticipated to revitalize not only the hospitality and food service industries, but also traditional markets and small businesses. A café owner in Seongsan-gu said, "In the past, most tourists only made short visits, but if stay-type tourism programs become more common, the number of long-term visitors will increase, which will certainly help the local economy."

On the other hand, some citizens have pointed out the need for better interaction between tourists and the local community. Ms. Kim (21), a resident of Changwon, said, "It seems like there aren’t many opportunities for tourists to naturally connect with local residents." She suggested, "If tourists were invited to local events or cultural experience programs, it could create more chances for interaction."

Ms. Park (22), a university student living in Changwon, expressed a positive outlook, saying, "It’s an interesting approach to focus on extended stays rather than short visits." However, when asked whether the program offers enough opportunities for tourists to interact with locals, Ms. Park responded, "I don't think sufficient measures are in place yet." She added, "If there were programs like traditional market tours or local hobby group activities, participants could engage with residents more naturally and intentionally."

Concerns have also been raised regarding the need for improvements to enhance the experience for foreign tourists. Ms. Park pointed out that, "the most significant issue is the lack of multilingual information," and emphasized the need for, "multilingual guidebooks and dedicated tour programs to help foreign visitors navigate Changwon more easily."

When asked for travel recommendations, Ms. Park suggested, "Watching a baseball game at Changwon NC Park and enjoying a quiet scenic tour on Dotseom Island." She also added, "In spring, visiting the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival to see cherry blossoms and trying spicy braised monkfish in Masan, would be the most authentic Changwon experiences."

Through this program, Changwon City aims to establish a stay-type tourism culture and enhance its brand value. Lee Seong-min, Director of the Culture, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, stated, "As people increasingly prefer lifestyle-based tourism, where they immerse themselves in one city, this travel style is gaining attention. We hope to showcase Changwon’s hidden charms through this program."

If this initiative is successfully implemented, Changwon could transition from being just a travel destination to a long-term stay hub. In particular, if the increase in long-term visitors leads to greater local spending and more positive reviews, this initiative is expected to play a crucial role in revitalizing Changwon’s tourism industry.

By Jeong Yu-jin, cub-reporter  jyj490825111@gmail.com

<저작권자 © The Campus Journal, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>