2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo, Overcoming the Crisis of Event Cancellation

Change of Event Cycle from 3 Years to 4 Years, Next Year's Event Held Despite COVID-19 Turmoil

Visitors are entering the 2017 Wando International Seaweed Expo venue. (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando County, Jeonnam announced on the 13th that despite the global economic turmoil and many difficulties caused by COVID-19, the "2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo" is being normally promoted with the goal of opening on April 23 next year.

Thanks to changing the expo, which was held every three years in 2014 and 2017 as the world's first seaweed-themed expo, to a four-year cycle, it was possible to avoid the COVID-19 storm and hold it next year.

The change in the holding period was comprehensively considered, including international event approval, securing sufficient preparation time, and expanding participation of county residents and hometown friends, and it was decided to hold the expo every four years after the 2017 expo.

The "2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo" will invest a total project cost of 10 billion KRW, including 2 billion KRW from the national government, 2 billion KRW from the provincial government, 2 billion KRW from the county, and 4 billion KRW from self-generated income, and will be held for 24 days from April 23 to May 16 next year at Wando Beach Park.

To ensure the successful hosting of the expo, the county launched the Expo Organizing Committee Secretariat in January and is accelerating preparations.

The basic plan for exhibition and production, which will be the core content of the expo, started in February and will be completed in May after expert consultations and collecting opinions from local working-level committees.

They have also started selecting the venue operation and event agency; at the business briefing held on the 9th of last month, 10 companies participated, twice as many as in 2017, showing high interest in the expo, and the final selection is scheduled for next month.

Moreover, tickets, which will determine the success or failure of the expo, have had their prices decided, design work and printing completed, and once the COVID-19 situation calms down, full-scale advance ticket sales will begin.

In particular, they plan to continuously meet with seaweed processing companies and seafood exporters to reflect field voices in the expo promotion content and induce participation in export consultation meetings and other expo events to create an opportunity for the development of the seaweed industry.

To revitalize tourism, discounts will be offered at major local tourist attractions, passenger ferry usage, and specialty product purchases, and after consultations with neighboring cities and counties regarding linked discounts with expo tickets, it was decided to discount admission fees at 30 major tourist sites in Jeonnam, including Haenam and Gangjin, as well as Mokpo Cable Car, Suncheon National Garden, and Yeosu Cable Car.

Additionally, various events are being prepared for the successful hosting of the expo, including the launch ceremony of the county-wide support council, the declaration ceremony of the year of 300,000 hometown visitors to Wando, appointment of promotional ambassadors, various organizational expo business agreements, and the declaration ceremony of the four county-wide movements (cleanliness, order, kindness, service).

Jung In-ho, Secretary General of the 2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo, stated, "Although the situation is difficult due to COVID-19, we will definitely successfully host the seaweed expo and make it an opportunity to restore regional vitality."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.