A nationwide project to identify 10,000 hidden travel destinations across South Korea is gaining significant momentum. The online voting event, organized by the government and public institutions, has surpassed 30,000 participants just one week after its launch, marking a remarkable success.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, the '100×100 Landmark Discovery Project' kicked off on June 29, and due to overwhelming interest, the original deadline for voting has been extended to July 17.
Diverse themes attract attention in the nationwide tourism project
This initiative is centered around 100 travel themes developed by 100 domestic travel experts. Each theme will undergo public voting to select 100 notable sites, ultimately creating a comprehensive map of 10,000 representative tourist attractions in South Korea.
The themes are categorized into eight major groups: architecture, leisure/sports/experiences, nature/ecology, lifestyle, K-content, culture/art/tradition, gastronomy, and travel preferences. Each category is further divided into 100 unique sub-themes.
Breaking away from conventional tourist site introductions, the project highlights popular themes such as 'Gukbap and Haejang-guk Landmarks' and 'Ideal Spots for Relaxation.' It also features trendy topics like 'K-Pop Pilgrimage Sites' and 'K-Cinema Locations' to attract foreign tourists.
Local governments mobilize efforts to promote regional attractions
Local governments are actively seeking to boost regional tourism. Cities like Gimhae, Miryang, and Gimcheon have quickly organized events linked to local candidates to encourage community participation. The ministry and the organization are sharing successful promotional examples in real-time with 226 local governments nationwide to create a broader movement.
Substantial prize incentives have also contributed to the project's popularity. Participants who vote on topics of interest through the official 'Travel Month' website are automatically entered into a prize draw. Prizes include three portable smart TVs, 10 gift certificates worth 100,000 won for dining, 550 Onnuri gift certificates, and 4,000 convenience store mobile coupons.
Kim Seok, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's National Tourism Division, stated, "In just one week, over 30,000 people have participated, and inquiries from local governments for collaboration are pouring in, reflecting the project's enthusiasm. We will ensure that the results of this public vote lead to tangible domestic travel demand that revitalizes the stagnant local economy through follow-up marketing efforts."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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