Geomundo, Reborn as a 'K-Culture Island Tourist Destination' Sought by the World

Published 17 Apr.2023 13:44(KST)

Selected by the Ministry of Culture, 10 Billion Won Invested in Geomundo

Geommundo, a representative island tourist destination in Yeosu, is set to be transformed into a ‘K-Culture Island Tourist Destination’ attracting visitors from around the world with an investment of 10 billion won.

According to the city, Geommundo in Samsan-myeon was finally selected on the 16th in the ‘K-Tourism Island Development Contest’ hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

[Photo provided by Yeosu City]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promoted a contest targeting non-connected islands nationwide to specialize them as world-class islands by integrating tourism and K-Culture, selecting five islands nationwide through three rounds of evaluation. In Jeollanam-do, Geommundo and Heuksando in Sinan-gun were selected together.

Accordingly, the city secured 10 billion won over four years and plans to utilize Geommundo’s historical, environmental, and cultural resources?once the starting point for the acceptance and dissemination of modern civilization?to develop sustainable experiential K-tourism products and foster it as a world-class island tourist destination.

The main project includes promoting a Voluntour program. This plan aims to regularly attract international tourists by responding to the tourism trends of the 2030 generation through cultural exchange activities linked with international youth volunteer programs and helping with village work.

Additionally, the ‘FILL in Nature’ project will be carried out to preserve the marine ecosystem by utilizing Geommundo’s ecological resources and conducting coastal cleanup activities, realizing tourism ESG. After the cleanup activities, the program will be linked with wellness programs using Geommundo’s sea breeze mugwort to enhance participant satisfaction.

Furthermore, the city will improve tourist convenience by creating a visitor information center and a Geommundo boat song transmission gallery using a closed school, and provide a place for traditional cultural experiences shared by tourists and local residents.

Jung Jae-ho, Director of the Fisheries Tourism Bureau, said, “This contest selection is a valuable result achieved through the cooperation of Jeollanam-do, Yeosu City, and local experts,” adding, “We will leap Geommundo from a gateway of history to a gateway of Korea’s K-tourism through sustainable tourism development linked to the theme of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, ‘Islands Connecting the Sea and the Future.’”