GWANGJU < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

The number of foreign group tourists stood at 12,531 last year, up 48.2 percent (4,073) from the previous year’s 8.458, according to Gwangju-si (City). Each group was comprised of more than five people and strayed in the city for more than a day.

By nationality, Chinese came first with 59.8 percent (7,497), followed by America’s 8.6 percent (1,079), Japan’s 8.3 percent (1,046), Singapore’s 5.9 percent (735) and Hong Kong’s 2.1 percent (264).

The dramatic gains seemed to be attributed to the Yeosu Expo 2012, held from last May to August, which brought many foreigners to Gwangju for accommodation.

Gwangju offers a 10,000 won-incentive for a foreign group tourist staying in the city for a day, 15,000 won for two days and 20,000 won for more than three days.

Most of the foreign tourists visited Namdo Folk Food Exhibition Room, National Folk Museum, Confucian temples, Bitgoeul Senior Health Town and others.

The Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 2013 will bring many foreign group tourists, Gwangju expects.

“We team up with travel agencies to attract foreign tourists to Gwangju after visiting large festivals and events held in Jeollanam-do (Province),” said a Gwangju-si official.

Source: Yonhap News (Feb. 6, 2013)

** This is the translation of a Korean article.