People cool off in the sea breeze at Haeundae Beach in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap
The itinerary for foreign travelers arriving in Korea has usually followed a remarkably predictable path: neon-drenched nights in Seoul, followed perhaps by a quick flight to the volcanic beaches of Jeju Island.
Hoping to rewrite that playbook, culture officials are taking aim at the regional map.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a major initiative Friday, designating the ancient imperial capital of Gyeongju in southeastern Korea and the bustling southern coastal resort district of Haeundae in Busan as the nation’s flagship "Global Tourism Special Zones."
Under the two-year program, each district will receive 3 billion won ($2.2 million) in government funding to overhaul infrastructure for international visitors, develop distinct regional branding and build immersive cultural offerings capable of drawing tourists away from the capital.
