Gyeonggi Tourism Organization Signs MOU with GKL Social Contribution Foundation for 'Sound Tour' Course Development for the Visually Impaired

The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, together with the GKL Social Contribution Foundation, Yeoju City, and the Korea Forest Welfare Institute, is promoting the development of a 'Sound Tour' course for the visually impaired as part of its barrier-free tourism initiative.

On May 28, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization announced that it had signed an agreement at the GKL Social Contribution Foundation's main conference room in Gangnam, Seoul, to develop two locations?Hwanghaksan Arboretum in Yeoju City and the National Yangpyeong Healing Forest in Yangpyeong County?as sound tour courses for the visually impaired.

Hwanghaksan Arboretum is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including 301 species of rare and endemic plants. It is recognized as an optimal location for fully experiencing the sounds of nature, thanks to its spatial characteristics that block out artificial external noise.

Gyeonggi Tourism Organization signed an MOU with the GKL Social Contribution Foundation on the 28th to develop a sound tour course for the visually impaired. Photo by Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

The National Yangpyeong Healing Forest was evaluated as being suitable for operating barrier-free tourism content, as it is a forest welfare facility where all visitors, including those with visual impairments, can safely enjoy forest therapy and nature experiences.

Under this agreement, the two organizations will work together to: ▲ develop a 'sound walking course' utilizing auditory and tactile senses; ▲ operate pilot tours for the visually impaired; ▲ provide training and education for program operators; and ▲ offer sound walking kits and commemorative experience gifts.

A representative from the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization stated, "By providing a new way of travel that utilizes hearing, we aim to expand a barrier-free tourism environment that everyone can enjoy." The representative also added, "Building on this agreement, we will continue our efforts to expand barrier-free tourism content such as the sound tour throughout the province."

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