Enjoy This Summer Vacation at Gyeonggi Province's Clean Valleys!

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province has embarked on promoting tourism activation at clean valleys that have been restored through the removal of illegal facilities.

The province plans to introduce the charm of Gyeonggi Province's clean valleys using various promotional videos including music video parody content and valley-linked stay tourism videos (summer camping and pension version, autumn foliage version), and will compose tourism products that connect to nearby attractions as well as prepare children's experience programs and performance programs available at the valleys.

The province announced on the 15th that it will implement tourism activation projects targeting three cities and counties—Gapyeong, Pocheon, and Yangju—which were selected as priority pilot projects for living SOC convenience facilities in clean valley restoration areas, and then plans to expand these efforts to other cities and counties.

First, the ‘Prince of the Valleys,’ a comic music video parody made by adapting the song ‘Prince of the Seas,’ with content encouraging people to visit clean valleys this summer, has attracted attention with over 80,000 views since being posted on YouTube last month. The province plans to continue producing promotional videos featuring ways to enjoy valleys during summer vacations and foliage season to provide useful information to tourists.

In addition, tourism courses (6 day trips, 1 night 2 days) that tour nearby attractions will be composed to contribute to the revitalization of local commerce.

For example, Pocheon, where Baekun Valley is located, has Hangawon, Pyeonggang Land, and the Korea National Arboretum. After swimming at Gapyeong's Ebi Valley, visitors can watch performances or ride ziplines at Petit France with their children. Around Yangju's Seok-hyeon Stream, there is the Songam Space Center, which offers experience programs for elementary and middle school students.

Family experience and performance programs to enjoy at valleys during summer vacation will also be prepared. Three Gyeonggi Tourism Information Centers will operate at ▲Baekun Valley in Pocheon (last week of July, weeks 1-2 of August/6 sessions) ▲Unak Valley in Gapyeong (weeks 3-4 of July, weeks 1-2 of August/8 sessions) ▲Janghung Valley in Yangju (week 3 of July/2 sessions), planning village-led postcard decorating contests and drawing competitions, badge-making, water gun experiences, valley treasure hunt stamp mission games and other children's experience programs suited to local characteristics, as well as performance content such as magic shows that families can enjoy together.

Additionally, cultural tourism interpreters will be stationed as a pilot program to provide valley-related storytelling and guide tourists on observing COVID-19 prevention measures.

Going forward, the province plans to grow Baekun Valley into a representative valley tourism destination through programs connecting Pocheon Dong-galbi Street and Baekun Valley, which are subject areas of the ‘Gyeonggi Province Scenic Alley Tourism Development Project,’ and will expand efforts from next year onward to serve as a regional tourism hub connecting themed alleys and valleys. The province also plans to survey tourism resources along the Gapyeong valley section of the Gyeonggi Dulle-gil trail and provide local tourism information such as pensions and restaurants for trail users to enhance convenience for valley visitors.

A provincial official stated, “We have prepared various programs as overseas travel demand reduced due to COVID-19 is expected to shift significantly to domestic tourism,” and added, “Based on this year's pilot program results, we plan to cultivate clean valleys as Gyeonggi Province's unique tourism content through diversification of experience programs and beyond from next year onward.”