Gangwon Aims to Become a K-Global Tourism Capital... Launches Foreign Tourist Taxi Service in Wonju

Gangwon Sets Sights on Becoming a "K-Global Tourism Capital"

Aiming for 4.5 Million Foreign Tourists by 2030

Province Launches Joint Marketing with Global Platform Agoda

Promoting 25 BTS Pilgrimage Sites and Foreign Tourist Taxis for Global Appeal

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) is making efforts to attract foreign tourists and strengthen tourism services as part of its push to become a K-Global tourism capital.

Gangwon Province is signing a business agreement on the 16th at Wonju Future Industry Promotion Agency with Agoda, a global tourism platform (CCO Damien Pfirsch, hereinafter 'Agoda'), to jointly promote marketing for attracting foreign tourists. Provided by Gangwon Province

To this end, on March 16, the province signed a business agreement at the Wonju Future Industry Promotion Agency with Agoda (CCO Damien Pfirsch, hereinafter referred to as "Agoda"), a global tourism platform, to jointly promote marketing for attracting foreign tourists.

Through this agreement, the two organizations plan to collaborate on a variety of initiatives, including the "Discover Gangwon" promotional campaign, expanding global publicity of Gangwon's tourism content, and developing data-driven tourism trends.

With these efforts, Gangwon aims to establish itself as a more attractive destination for overseas travelers and to increase the number of global tourists visiting the region.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is an affiliate of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG), a NASDAQ-listed company. Agoda employs more than 7,000 people in 26 markets worldwide and offers a wide range of travel products, including over 4.2 million hotels and accommodations, as well as flights and other options.

Agoda CCO Damien Pfirsch expressed his keen interest in the province, saying, "I even studied why the governor shaved his head before coming here, that's how much interest we have in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province." He added, "Inbound demand for Gangwon among Agoda users increased by 42% compared to last year, and I expect this agreement will help Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province become even more widely recognized as a global tourist destination."

Governor Kim Jin-tae stated, "In the past, people often thought of package tours when it came to travel, but now it's the era of independent travel. Gangwon is a tourist destination with both mountains and the sea, and it even has 25 BTS pilgrimage sites."

He continued, "With the BTS world tour scheduled, the eyes of the world will be on Korea, and this is why we have partnered with Agoda. Since this year is the Year of Visiting Gangwon, I am most looking forward to the moment when 'Discover Gangwon' is introduced on the Agoda App."

In addition, with more than 140 participants, including Governor Kim Jin-tae, Wonju Mayor Won Kang-soo, the Gangwon Private Taxi Transportation Association's Wonju branch, Korea Tourism Organization, Gangwon Tourism Organization, a foreign SNS press corps, and FIT monitoring tour group, the launching ceremony for the Gangwon Foreign Tourist Taxi in Wonju was held around Wonju Station.

The foreign tourist taxi service, first introduced by a local government in 2019 to actively respond to demand from individual travelers, is currently operated through the cooperation of the private taxi transportation associations and three cities: Chuncheon, Gangneung, and Sokcho. To date, more than 32,000 people from over 20 countries around the world have used the service.

Gangwon Province signed a business agreement on the 16th at Wonju Future Industry Promotion Center with global travel platform Agoda (CCO Damien Pfirsch, hereafter 'Agoda') to jointly promote marketing for attracting foreign tourists. Provided by Gangwon Province

At the launching ceremony, the start of the tourist taxi service in the Wonju area was announced. Thirty-two selected private taxi drivers received "Foreign Tourist Taxi Certificates," pledged to provide courteous service, and participated in a taxi flag attachment ceremony.

Additionally, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, about 70 members of the foreign SNS press corps and monitoring tour group were invited to participate in a tourism program, which included visits to Wonju tourist attractions such as Sogeumsan Grand Valley, Samyang Factory, Hanji Theme Park, and traditional markets. The program aims to identify areas for service improvement through real-time SNS publicity and tourist monitoring.

Governor Kim Jin-tae remarked, "With the introduction of the foreign tourist taxi, Wonju has further enhanced its status as an international tourist destination. I hope everyone will always greet foreign tourists visiting Gangwon with a smile and with kindness."

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