"The ultimate goal of promoting the Suwon Visit Year is to establish Suwon as a global brand," said Lee Jae-jun, the mayor of Suwon, during a report meeting on the progress of the Suwon Visit Year held at city hall on July 28. He emphasized, "Suwon's cultural, artistic, sports, and festival resources are excellent. A significant influx of tourists will benefit local businesses and traditional markets."
The city is promoting the Suwon Visit Year under the slogan "Suwon For YOU," aiming to transform it into a global tourist city attracting 15 million visitors. The Suwon Visit Year Promotion Committee and a citizen promotion group were launched in April.
Key strategies include expanding global recognition, creating a tourism-friendly environment, developing a tourism economy ecosystem, and enhancing a culture of hospitality among citizens.
Plans are in place to discover and promote tourism infrastructure based on K-content, activate public hanok villages, and specialize the Hanbok Street in Yeongdong Market to enhance tourism competitiveness.
Local content includes a K-heritage culinary tour featuring chicken, the Suwon Sports Royal Tour, year-round performances at the Jeongjo Theme Performance Hall, special traditional music performances, nighttime openings at Hwaseong Haenggung, and the Suwon Arboretum's Night Garden.
The city has established a private partnership system by signing agreements with the International Tourism Forum, the Korea Simple Payment Promotion Agency, Suwon Post Office, and the Brewery Association.
The three major festivals at Hwaseong will take place from September to October. The 2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art event, themed "New Light and Joy - Suwon Hwaseong, Blooming with Light," will be held from September 19 to October 6 at Hwaseomun, Jang-anmun, and Jang-an Park.
The 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival will occur from October 4 to 11 at Haenggung Plaza and Hwaseong Haenggung, along with the 2026 joint reenactment of King Jeongjo's royal procession on October 4.
In September, the Korea-China-Japan PD Forum and the Suwon Drone and Fireworks Festival will be held, followed by the Gyeonggi Indie Music Festival at Seoho Lawn on October 17-18.
A city official stated, "The Suwon Visit Year is a key project that requires collaboration from all departments. We will work together to create a 'virtuous cycle tourist city' where visitors come, stay, spend, and return."
The upcoming Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival in October is a special event aimed at encouraging citizen participation and attracting tourists, based on the historical asset of Suwon Hwaseong.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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