Gangwon Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae 김진태) and the Gangwon Tourism Foundation (CEO Choi Sung-hyun 최성현) hosted the launch ceremony for "2025-2026 Visit Gangwon Years" on Monday, November 25, at Ilsong Art Hall, Hallym University.
The ceremony welcomed over 400 attendees, including ambassadors from 9 countries, Laos, Peru, Thailand, and Finland—alongside the mayors and governors of Gangwon’s 18 cities and counties, as well as key institutional leaders. The event was held to declare 2025-2026 as "Visit Gangwon Year," sharing a unified vision and determination to rejuvenate Gangwon's tourism.
Prior to the ceremony, Governor Kim hosted a luncheon at Sejong Hotel for the 11 invited ambassadors. During the meeting, the ambassadors expressed great interest in Gangwon’s tourism industry and discussed opportunities for future collaboration. Governor Kim extended gratitude to the nations that had supported Gangwon during historic moments such as the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the upcoming 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. He also encouraged the ambassadors to actively promote and visit Gangwon during the campaign.
The event opened with a traditional *Sogo* drum dance performed by the Provincial Dance Company, symbolizing the vibrant spirit of Gangwon.
- Video congratulatory messages were delivered by the President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Governor of Tuv in Mongolia, and the Vice Governor of Luang Prabang in Laos.
- CEO Choi Sung-hyun unveiled the brand identity (BI) for "2025-2026 Visit Gangwon Years," explaining the design’s inspiration: Gangwon’s pristine natural beauty, represented through a motif of the Taeguk symbol, combined with five colorful curves that symbolize the province’s five tourism belts. The design reflects Gangwon’s unique appeal, blending relaxation with outdoor activities.
- Distinguished guests participated in a "Gateway of Hope" opening performance, wishing for Gangwon’s future success as a tourism hub.
- Estonia’s ambassador also delivered a heartfelt message of support, followed by a group photo of Governor Kim, Provincial Assembly Chairman Kim Si-sung, and the ambassadors holding message cards to commemorate the event.
The "2025-2026 Visit Gangwon Year" campaign is a joint effort between the Province, its 18 cities and counties, and the Foundation. Key objectives include:
- Designating 1-2 cities or counties each month as "Travel Destinations of the Month," conducting focused promotions linked to local festivals and events.
- Partnering with online travel agencies to launch the "Gangwon Accommodation Promotion," offering discounted lodging vouchers to encourage extended stays.
- Developing sports tourism programs connected to nationwide sports events.
- Expanding marketing and sales efforts targeting both domestic and international tourists.
Governor Kim Jin-tae emphasized the campaign's goal of revitalizing the Province by positioning tourism as a central driver of growth. He pledged to leverage the unique resources of Gangwon’s cities and counties to create sustainable, year-round tourism demand, while calling for the public’s continued support and encouragement.
