Representatives from national tourism and island organizations visiting the Yeosu World Island Expo emphasized the need to transform Yeosu's 365 islands from mere sightseeing destinations into stay-based tourism spots where visitors can eat, sleep, and engage in activities.
The organizing committee of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo reported that on September 28, over 20 representatives from 10 organizations, including island-related groups and tourism associations, toured the expo venue to explore key exhibits and discuss collaborative strategies for enhancing island tourism.
Among the attendees were Lee Cham, representative of Global Tourism for 100 Million People, as well as members from the Korea Island Central Association, the International Exchange and Cultural Promotion Agency, the Korea National Heritage Guardians Association, the Korea Taekwondo Association, the Coastal Environmental Conservation Federation, the Seoul Tourism Association, the Seoul Traditional Medicine Association, the Jeonnam Federation of Disabled People's Organizations, and the GNP Group.
Participants enjoyed lunch at Market Island before examining the main exhibition halls and experiential programs at the venue. During a subsequent meeting, they discussed tourism products and promotional strategies that could effectively connect visitors to actual island experiences after the expo.
Notably, attendees agreed that island tourism should extend beyond appreciating beautiful landscapes to include accommodations, food, walking, experiences, and interactions with local residents to create sustained tourism demand.
The need to preserve the unique nature, culture, history, and lifestyles of the 365 islands in Yeosu while connecting them into a cohesive travel route was also highlighted.
Lee Cham, representative of Global Tourism for 100 Million People, stated, "The value of island tourism that we have yet to fully discover lies in the nature, culture, and the lives of the people that can only be experienced on the islands. Recent tourism trends are shifting from merely visiting famous places to experiencing the unique culture and life of each region, indicating that islands hold significant potential."
He added, "The key is not to develop the islands solely for tourists but to connect tourism while preserving their inherent values. If the 365 islands of Yeosu can highlight their individual charms and create a unified travel experience, they have the potential to develop into unique island tourism content for Korea."
A proposal was also made to create a structure that allows tourists to spend money in the local area.
Cho Tae-sook, chair of the Seoul Tourism Association, remarked, "If the expo serves as a catalyst for attracting tourists to Yeosu, it is crucial to ensure that these visitors actually visit the islands and contribute to the local tourism economy through lodging, food, and experiences. We need to organically connect tourism products with transportation, accommodations, food, and activities for each island."
Participants expressed interest in exploring ways to link the expo's exhibitions and experiences with actual visits to islands like Gaedo and Geumo.
The organizing committee plans to leverage the networks and promotional channels of the tourism industry and related organizations to promote the expo and maintain collaborative relationships for enhancing island tourism even after the event concludes.
Lee Young-min, head of the Public Relations and Marketing Team, stated, "We will continue to collaborate with the tourism industry and island-related institutions and organizations to ensure that the interest generated by the expo translates into actual visits, stays, and revitalization of the local economy."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,' will run until November 4 at the main venue in Dolsan Jinmo and the Yeosu World Expo site, as well as in the Gaedo and Geumo areas. The organizing committee plans to incorporate the feedback from tourists and suggestions from the tourism industry gathered during the expo into future strategies for enhancing Yeosu's island tourism.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.