Gi Gyeon Gil, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Foundation, has completed his five-year term. The foundation has begun the process of publicly recruiting a new CEO.
Gi, who took office on July 26, 2021, served his initial three-year term and was re-elected twice in 2024 and 2025, totaling five years in the role.
The farewell ceremony was held on July 24 at the foundation's headquarters, attended by the director of the Seoul City Tourism and Sports Bureau and foundation staff. The event included a video presentation of key activities during his tenure, farewell speeches, and the presentation of a plaque of appreciation.
Expansion of Urban Hiking Tourism Centers and Seasonal FestivalsDuring Gi's tenure, the foundation developed and showcased tourism content utilizing Seoul's unique resources, such as hiking and seasonal festivals.
In 2022, the Urban Hiking Tourism Center opened in Bukhansan to meet the demand for hiking, followed by openings in Bukak Mountain in 2024 and Gwanak Mountain in 2025, turning urban hiking routes into tourism resources.
Seasonal events were also held at Gwanghwamun Square. Approximately 7.4 million people visited the Seoul Lantern Festival and Gwanghwamun Market in 2025. The ongoing 2026 Seoul Summer Beach has expanded its operating hours and event areas.
Efforts were made to build experience-based tourism infrastructure.
The Seoul My Soul Shop, a representative souvenir store, started with three locations in June 2024: Seoul Tourism Plaza, Myeongdong Tourist Information Center, and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. It has since expanded to six directly operated stores, including Yeouido Ferry Terminal and Seoul Gallery.
Opened in June 2024, the Seoul Culture Lounge offers various themed programs related to Korean Wave culture, arts, beauty, and literature. As of July 24, a total of 386 programs have been conducted, attracting 44,040 visitors.
Reflecting International Tourism Indicators and Ongoing CEO Selection ProcessCollaboration with the city has continued to reflect relevant international indicators. During Gi's tenure, Seoul was recognized as Asia's top leisure city for two consecutive years by Global Traveler, ranked first in Asia and third globally for international conferences held in 2025 according to the Union of International Associations (UIA), and sixth in the world according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), with fourth place in the medical field. Additionally, it was named the most loved city by the global MZ generation in the 2025 Travel Awards and recognized as the world's best MICE city for 11 consecutive years by Global Traveler.
Gi stated, "I could complete my term thanks to the foundation staff and domestic and international tourists who visited Seoul. The past five years with the foundation have been rewarding and filled with gratitude." He added, "Although I am stepping down, I will continue to support Seoul's growth as a tourism city."
Meanwhile, the foundation's executive recommendation committee announced on July 13 that it has begun the process of selecting a new CEO. The new CEO will oversee all foundation operations, including marketing, MICE industry development, and tourism resource development and commercialization. The term is three years from the appointment date, with the possibility of annual renewals thereafter.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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