The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo has welcomed 431,198 visitors in its first month, prompting the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City to intensify efforts to attract more attendees and enhance exhibition and experience content.
On October 2, Mayor Min Hyung-bae visited the main venue of the Yeosu World Island Expo to review visitor trends and the operation of exhibition halls and experience programs since the opening. He also discussed strategies for attracting more visitors during the remaining period. It was confirmed that he received reports from the organizing committee on operational status and key improvements.
According to the integrated special city, the cumulative number of visitors as of the end of September reached 431,198.
Visitor numbers surged during the Chuseok holiday. On the holiday itself, September 25, a record 67,491 people attended the expo, followed by 59,797 on the 26th and 37,465 on the 27th.
Mayor Min reviewed the current visitor status and the operation of exhibition halls, as well as the progress of key programs, after receiving reports from the organizing committee. He examined additional measures prepared by the integrated special city and Yeosu City to attract more visitors.
To maintain the heightened interest generated during the Chuseok holiday, the integrated special city plans to link cultural events with expo visits and expand group visit demand targeting hometown associations and social organizations.
Promotional efforts to attract visitors from the metropolitan area and other regions will also be strengthened. The plan includes utilizing social media, influencers, broadcasting, and digital billboards to intensively promote expo content and event schedules.
After reviewing the visitor attraction measures, Mayor Min personally toured key exhibition areas, including the Island Theme Zone, Future Island, Theme Island, and Marine Ecological Island, to assess the status of exhibition and experience content, visitor flow, and facility operations.
The organizing committee has added more interpreters to major exhibition halls based on visitor feedback since the opening and has enhanced participatory content such as AI robot guides, drone operation, and wish paper boat folding.
Busking and mascot street performances have also been expanded, along with additional visitor participation events, while guidance on event schedules and exhibition hall navigation has been improved.
The government has supported the expo with a total of 19.2 billion won in national funds and special grants for the construction of the main venue, convenience facilities, and maintenance of key tourist islands. The expo opened on September 5 and will run until November 4.
Mayor Min Hyung-bae stated, “It is important to sustain the enthusiasm from the Chuseok holiday throughout the remaining period. The integrated special city, Yeosu City, and the organizing committee will work together to attract more visitors to the expo through comprehensive promotional efforts.”
He added, “It is also crucial that visitors not only come but also fully appreciate the value and charm of the islands. We will carefully monitor content and visitor convenience during the remaining period and promptly address any shortcomings.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Connecting Islands, Seas, and the Future,' opened on September 5 and will continue until November 4. The main venue features six exhibition halls along with performance and experience programs, and the integrated special city, Yeosu City, and the organizing committee plan to focus on enhancing content and attracting external tourists in the remaining month.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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