A prime example of success in enhancing regional vitality and creating local value by blending culture and tourism
The "123 Sabi Craft Village," cherished for its humble charm in every alley, has been selected as the '2025 Destination to Look Forward to' at the '2024 SRT Awards,' hosted by the SRT operator, SR.
The 123 Sabi Craft Village (hereinafter referred to as the Craft Village) is a craft creation cluster located in the beautiful city of Buyeo, enriched by the 123-year history of Sabi Baekje. It continues the splendor of Baekje's culture and art.
The Craft Village was established to enrich the lives of local residents and promote the regional craft culture industry. It supports the production and sale of craft products by young craft artists.
Through collaboration with various stakeholders in the region, the Craft Village has become a vibrant hub. By operating diverse infrastructures such as the Creation Center, Residences, and Art Cube, it generates local value through education, exhibitions, events, product development, and studio management.
Showcasing Buyeo's unique charm and revitalizing the area, the Craft Village attracted 85,893 visitors last year alone and gained attention from media outlets like KBS and TJB.
By supporting the skill-building of local craftsmen, young artisans, and community members, the Craft Village has strengthened cultural tourism and human infrastructure. This has contributed to an increase in the staying population and the creation of local talent jobs and income.
Particularly noteworthy are the efforts to create a supportive environment for young craft artists with professional capabilities, enabling them to settle down securely. Strengthened collaboration with regional universities played a significant role in increasing the residential population. Successes like establishing online and offline art shops, gallery entries, and winning competitions also contributed to this progress.
Moreover, by developing specialized cultural products catering to the preferences of the MZ generation, producing magazines, and supporting participation in Craft Trend Fairs, the village expanded its outreach nationwide, increasing visitor inflow and recognition.
Above all, the most significant achievement of the Craft Village is the independence, proactive activities, and collaboration of private stakeholders. Public-private cooperation has blossomed in initiatives such as running the Craft Village Guyam Market, Craft Week, and supporting cultural education projects for local children and youth.
Through close collaboration with the Craft Village Guyam Council, private stakeholders have independently carried out projects to attract visitors and improve the quality of life for local residents, making it a standout example of success.
A Buyeo County official stated, "The 123 Sabi Craft Village is a successful case of combining regional culture and tourism to create local value and enhance regional vitality," adding, "We will continue to pursue diverse initiatives that reflect the region's unique characteristics through crafts."
