"2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Accelerates Toward Opening"

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, the first international event to be held since the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, is now just four months away.

On April 29, Jeonnam Province, Yeosu City, and the Organizing Committee for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Organizing Committee") held a briefing at the Jeonnam Provincial Office to explain the progress of preparations for the Expo, reaffirming their commitment to its successful hosting.

Jongki Kim, Secretary General of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee, is holding a press conference on the progress of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo in the press room of Jeonnam Provincial Government on the 29th. [Photo by Jeonnam Province]

원본보기 아이콘

This year’s Expo will present integrated content that combines exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and leisure, linking the main venue and three sub-venues.

The main venue at Jinnmo District, Dolsan, will feature a landmark and eight exhibition halls, providing a three-dimensional showcase of the past, present, and future of islands. The landmark, called the "Theme Island," is a symbolic structure representing "an island shining brightly on the sea," embodying the theme of the Expo.

Other exhibition halls, such as the Marine Ecology Island, Future Island, and International Exchange Island, will utilize media technology to provide immersive content, thereby enhancing visitors’ understanding and interest. In addition, permanent spaces such as the Island Theme Zone, Art Photo Zone, and outdoor gardens will be available, along with various cultural performances including themed shows, world island culture performances, and nighttime media art events throughout the Expo.

At the sub-venues Gaedo and Geumodo, visitors can enjoy programs that allow them to experience the nature and culture of the islands firsthand, including island camping, trekking, healing & wellness activities, and marine leisure experiences.

At the Yeosu Expo site, another sub-venue, existing facilities will be utilized to simultaneously host academic events such as the International Island Forum and the World Island Cities Conference. The Expo will also serve as a platform for discussions on island development strategies and global cooperation. In addition, more than 40 related events from Jeonnam Province and Yeosu City, such as the Kimbap Festival and the Yeosu Night Sea Fireworks Festival, will take place at the Yeosu Expo site during the Expo period.

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is inspecting the preparation status for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo at the Yeosu City Youth Marine Education Center auditorium on the 23rd. [Photo by Jeonnam Province]

원본보기 아이콘

The overall construction progress at the main venue stands at 62%, with the infrastructure for the main venue reaching 83% completion. Curb installation for the roads will be finished next month, and overall completion is expected by the end of June.

The Expo’s landmark, the Theme Island, is currently at 53% completion, with steel framework construction underway. The Organizing Committee plans to finalize the interior exhibition setup and complete the landmark by the end of July.

The open cultural space, where visitors can enjoy performances while overlooking the sea, is currently 64% complete and is scheduled to be finished by the end of June.

The eight exhibition halls, constructed with TFS tents, have reached 38% completion. Since they are being built as tents, the construction period is relatively short, and installation is expected to be completed by the end of June, with ancillary facilities and exhibition installations finalized by the end of July. The Island Theme Zone and Art Photo Zone, which will be used as photo spots even after the Expo, are currently at 30% completion and will also be completed by the end of July. In addition, safety facility works such as electrical and communication installations are progressing simultaneously at 60% completion.

The Organizing Committee is aiming to attract 3 million visitors by providing incentives to group tourists such as school trips and experiential learning programs, and by expanding demand through the hosting of MICE events and programs connected to alumni associations. They also plan to develop tourism products in cooperation with Korail and to enhance themed content such as yacht tours and island food experiences. In particular, for visitors to Gaedo and Geumodo, 50% of the ferry fares will be subsidized, and support for accommodation and meal expenses will be provided to actively promote longer stays.

Sea and air routes are also being opened to attract international visitors. Eleven international cruise calls, including Royal Caribbean, are scheduled, and 16 international flights to and from Vietnam, China, and Mongolia are planned. As a result, more than 22,000 international visitors are expected to visit Yeosu via these cruises and international flights alone.

A bird's-eye view of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo venue. Photo captured from Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do's Facebook.

원본보기 아이콘

Efforts to attract participating countries have focused on the Expo’s theme, potential for international cooperation, and existing exchanges such as sister/friendly cities with Jeonnam Province and Yeosu City. As of now, 27 countries and three international organizations have confirmed their participation.

In particular, outreach was focused on countries sharing the Expo’s core values of marine environmental protection, climate crisis response, and sustainable island development. Discussions are ongoing with more than five additional countries. The participating countries include France, Greece, China, Japan, Peru, Palau, Senegal, and others, and these nations will showcase their unique island cultures at the "International Exchange Island" exhibition hall.

There will also be an "Island Friends Day," featuring traditional dance performances and maritime folk culture presentations.

To improve access to the main venue in Jinnmo District, Dolsan, one city bus route will be added, and 26 buses will operate for free on 16 routes heading to the main venue.

Yeosu City will provide 10 temporary parking lots with 7,400 spaces in and around the main venue area, and will operate up to 60 shuttle buses a day on 10 routes during weekends.

Since the area is connected by only two bridges, maritime transportation is also being prepared. Yachts will run between the main venue, Gukdong Port, and the World Expo site, and yacht tours around the islands will be promoted to disperse road traffic. For the sub-venues Gaedo and Geumodo, temporary additional ferry trips will be scheduled, and during the Expo, half-price ferry fares will be implemented to make it easier to visit other islands in Yeosu.

For regional transportation, international charter flights and increased domestic flights to Yeosu Airport, as well as expanded KTX train services, are being promoted to improve accessibility for visitors from the Seoul metropolitan area.

As Yeosu is a tourist city visited by more than 10 million tourists annually, it has sufficient infrastructure with 1,281 accommodation businesses and 6,247 restaurants.

Yeosu City has designated 153 accommodations and 208 restaurants as official Expo establishments to provide friendly and clean services, and has created special programs such as "one night, three meals" on the islands and "island healing meals." In addition, customized consulting services and "three principles" campaigns are being conducted to ensure high standards of hospitality and cleanliness.

In island areas lacking accommodation facilities, alternative lodging such as village halls will be utilized, with various supplies provided and facility management planned.

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo is expected to transform the paradigm of island tourism in Jeonnam Province. The plan is to shift from "brief visits" to "staying and returning trips," thus ushering in a new era of island tourism.

Jeonnam Province has designated 2026 as the "Year of Visiting Jeonnam’s Islands," and, in conjunction with the Expo, is connecting walking, experiences, accommodation, and food into a single journey. The "Half-price Island Travel" program will refund up to 100,000 won in local currency when visitors spend more than 200,000 won on ferry fares, accommodation, and experiences.

During the Expo, Yeosu City has prepared an "Island Yacht Tour" program to encourage visits to other islands in addition to the sub-venues Gaedo and Geumodo. To ensure smooth island tourism, integrated, customized island data is being developed for 12 inhabited islands including Geomundo, Nangdo, and Hwahwado, providing comprehensive information on transportation, accommodation, dining, public restrooms, tourist attractions, and experience programs.

Visitors from other regions who attend the Expo and participate in activities such as yacht or cruise tours, island lodging, and food experiences will be offered incentives to further promote island tourism.

With the central government, local governments, and related organizations working in close cooperation to ensure the Expo’s success, global attention is intensifying on Yeosu to see what will unfold in four months as the world’s spotlight turns to the islands. Thirty countries have chosen Yeosu, and international cruises and flights are preparing to bring visitors from around the globe.

Jeonnam Province, Yeosu City, and the Organizing Committee stated, "We will meticulously prepare for the successful hosting of the Expo in all areas, including venue construction, safety management, accommodation, and food services," adding, "We will continue to transparently communicate updates on the Expo’s preparations to the public going forward."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.