"Taxi Is the Answer" ... Small-Scale Travel Trend 'Yeongju Tourist Taxi' Gains Popularity

Surpassing 1,000 Passengers in Just 7 Months of Operation, Attracting Mainly Families and Small Tourist Groups

Yeongju Tourist Taxi and Travelers.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] In Yeongju, Gyeongbuk, a ‘customized small-group travel product’ linked between travel agencies and taxis is gaining considerable popularity. The so-called Yeongju sightseeing taxi, which allows travelers to visit major tourist attractions in Yeongju by taxi, is on the rise.

According to Yeongju City on the 24th, the travel pattern is shifting from group visitors to small-scale tourism with family and friends in the COVID-19 era, and Yeongju sightseeing taxis, which quickly respond and meet diverse tourism demands, are gaining popularity. The number of users surpassed 1,000 just seven months after full-scale operation began.

Yeongju City reports that the increase in users is due to the spread of small-scale tourism amid COVID-19 and the launch of small-group travel products linked with KTX-Eum and sightseeing taxis.

A total of 1,068 people used the Yeongju sightseeing taxi, including 360 individual tourists and 708 users of themed small-group travel products. UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Buseoksa Temple, Sosu Seowon Confucian Academy, and Museom Village are attracting tourists.

The advantage of Yeongju sightseeing taxis is that they provide user-centered customized convenience, allowing tourists to find desired tourist attractions and popular restaurants. The friendly service of taxi drivers also plays a role. According to a survey conducted among sightseeing taxi users, actual users have shown high satisfaction.

Taxi companies secure stable demand as Yeongju sightseeing taxis can be used in various package travel products linked with well-known domestic travel agencies. Tourists can enjoy safer and more convenient travel amid COVID-19, establishing this as a travel model that capitalizes on niche markets during the pandemic.

Yeongju City’s strategy is to target the demand for ‘untact tourism,’ which minimizes contact with many people, through the activation of Yeongju sightseeing taxis.

Jang Wook-hyun, mayor of Yeongju City, said, “Yeongju sightseeing taxis are used by many tourists from all over the country, including Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, and Busan, greatly contributing to the revitalization of the local economy,” and added, “We will develop various tourism products suitable for the post-COVID-19 era to revive the local economy.”

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