South Korea’s Goheung-gun Unveils 2026 Tourism Revitalization Plan, Focusing on Longer Stays, Extended Visits and Stronger Local Economic Growth

Goheung-gun, in South Korea, is readjusting its policy toward tourism, as this county prepares for the era of 10 million tourists, and makes a decisive departure from short trips with just a visit towards “staying travel.” The county said it would enforce the 2026 Tourism Revitalization Measures focused on quality, depth of experience, and economic circulation in tourism rather than increasing visitor numbers.

This change in policy signifies a wider trend within the tourism development of South Korea, where destinations focus more on extended lengths of stay and higher-value travel to make sure tourism growth brings about benefits to local communities in a sustaining way. Goheung-gun’s aim is clear: increase the length of stay, enhance the density of tourism experiences, and ensure that money from tourism flows straight into the local economy.

Designing Longer-Stay Travel Experiences in South Korea

At the core of Goheung-gun’s new strategy is the design of stay-oriented travel routes that naturally encourage visitors to extend their trips. The county has developed integrated itineraries combining aerospace tourism, island and marine attractions, healing forests, and Namdo cuisine into a single travel flow unique to southern South Korea.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the sea and islands during the day, followed by stargazing and space-related experiences at night, making it difficult to experience Goheung in just one day. By linking land-based tourism with island travel, the county aims to push average stays to two days or more, directly supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, and local tour operators. This approach positions Goheung as a destination where experience-based tourism drives sustainable growth rather than high-volume, low-impact visits.

Year-Round Tourism Growth Beyond Peak Seasons

To support continuous tourism growth in South Korea, Goheung-gun is restructuring how tourism content is delivered throughout the year. From the first half of the year, the county plans to introduce blue marine bike trips and ecological healing programs, creating new reasons to visit outside traditional peak seasons.

Major tourism events will be spread across the calendar, helping reduce seasonality and maintain a steady flow of visitors. This strategy supports stable tourism revenue, strengthens local employment, and ensures that tourism growth benefits businesses year-round rather than only during short peak periods.

Attracting the MZ Generation Through Digital Tourism

Goheung-gun is also aligning its tourism strategy with the travel habits of South Korea’s MZ generation. The county plans to gradually introduce sensory photo zones that blend naturally with the surrounding environment, encouraging visitors to take photos and share them on social media.

These photo zones act as powerful digital marketing tools, creating travel motivation through visual storytelling and peer-to-peer promotion. By leveraging SNS-driven tourism, Goheung aims to expand its reach organically, strengthening long-term tourism growth without relying solely on traditional advertising.

Strengthening Local Economic Impact of Tourism

A central pillar of Goheung-gun’s tourism policy is ensuring that tourism spending stays within the region. The county has expanded systems that return tourism incentives and admission fees as local currency, encouraging visitors to spend directly at local shops, restaurants, and markets.

Goheung has also designed accommodation discounts and rail-linked travel products that connect transportation, lodging, and local commerce. This structure ensures that tourism revenue benefits local residents and small businesses, preventing economic leakage and reinforcing tourism as a driver of regional economic growth in South Korea.

Data-Driven Tourism Policy and Community Participation

To support smarter tourism growth, Goheung-gun will introduce data-driven tourism administration, analyzing visitor movement routes, stay patterns, and consumption behavior. These insights will be used to refine policies, improve infrastructure planning, and enhance visitor satisfaction.

At the same time, the county plans to foster resident-participatory tourism organizations, improving service quality while ensuring tourism development aligns with community needs. This collaborative approach strengthens both tourism stability and local acceptance, which are essential for long-term growth.

A Sustainable Tourism Growth Model for South Korea

Goheung-gun’s value tourism approach witnesses an elevation in the paradigm of tourism in South Korea, which was earlier focused on the quantity of tourists but is gradually transforming into a value tourism approach. This transformation in tourism strategy in South Korea aims for improved economic circulation within the region.

With the imminent approach to the 10 millionth visitor, the 2026 Tourism Revitalization Measures in Goheung offer a leading model in how South Korea can develop their tourism industry, not only in volume, but in terms of calibrated impacts and outcomes, and in ensuring tourism development is firmly supportive of both the visitor and the local community.

The post South Korea’s Goheung-gun Unveils 2026 Tourism Revitalization Plan, Focusing on Longer Stays, Extended Visits and Stronger Local Economic Growth appeared first on Travel and Tour World