Workation in Kimje, Stay-Type Publishing in Gangjin... Korea Tourism Organization Moves to Boost Resident Population

Launching the "Battery" Stay-Type Tourism Pilot Project
14 Stay-Type Tourism Pilots in Regions with Declining Populations

The Korea Tourism Organization is partnering with Kimje City in North Jeolla Province and Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province to launch a pilot project for stay-type tourism in regions experiencing population decline.

Korea Tourism Organization-Collaborating Local Governments (Kimje, Gangjin) Business Agreement Ceremony (from left: Lee Hyunseo, Deputy Mayor of Kimje City; Min Byungseon, Head of Tourism Industry Division at Korea Tourism Organization; Kim Youngbin, Director of Safety and Construction Bureau, Gangjin County). Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

On April 28, the Korea Tourism Organization announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Kimje City and Gangjin County at its Seoul Center to promote the “BETTER里 (Battery)” initiative, a project aimed at revitalizing tourism inflow in areas with declining populations.

BETTER里 (Battery) is a project designed to introduce tourism companies’ innovative ideas into regions facing population decline, fostering demand for stay-type tourism and invigorating local economies. The project sites for this year are Kimje City and Gangjin County.

A total of 61 tourism companies applied to participate in this project, recording a competition rate of 4.4 to 1. Ultimately, 14 companies were selected, with seven from each region. In the first year, the Korea Tourism Organization will provide each selected company with KRW 50 million in business development funding, along with consulting services and promotional marketing from a specialized startup incubator. From the second year onward, the local governments will take the lead in follow-up projects.

In Kimje City, stay-type tourism models will utilize the city’s expansive plains, traditional culture, and unused spaces. Darimaker will offer family-oriented workation programs linked to the historical tourism resources of the Juksan area. Another project will create a one-night stay program that combines night-time specialized content with a community of foreign residents. Mooncademy will introduce a customized “Run Stay” service that blends running with local sports tourism.

In Gangjin County, pilot projects will leverage historical and cultural assets as well as the natural environment. Samililsim will operate a welfare-tourism convergence program that combines care for children with developmental disabilities and tourism. Nomadher will offer rural and arts experience tours focused on cultural exchange between local residents and female travelers. Gutenberg will operate “Dasan Seoak,” a stay-type literary accommodation where guests can reside for 18 days at the Jeong Yak-yong exile site and publish e-books.

The Korea Tourism Organization explained that Gapyeong County and Muju County, which were selected last year, are now in their second year and preparing follow-up projects utilizing funds for local extinction response. Bonghwa County, which was selected in 2024, has transitioned to running the project independently after the initial phase ended.

Kim Gwanmi, Head of Tourism Business Support at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, “The core goal of this year’s Battery project is for the original ideas of tourism companies to take root in Gangjin and Kimje, creating real changes. We will actively support the initiative so that both participating companies and local residents can benefit from positive outcomes.”

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