Hwaseong City Officially Begins Operations of 'Hwaseong Seohae Maru Youth Hostel'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] Hwaseong City held a grand opening ceremony at the 'Hwaseong Seohae Maru Youth Hostel' on the 20th and officially began full-scale operations of the youth hostel, including accommodation services, from the same day.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Jeong Myung-geun of Hwaseong City, President Bae Jeong-soo of the Hwaseong City Council, National Assembly members Kwon Chil-seung and Song Ok-joo, President Lee Chan-hui of the Korea Scouting Association, city council members, and approximately 200 youth and local residents who congratulated the hostel's opening.

The opening ceremony took place from 2 p.m. that day at the Hwaseong Seohae Maru Youth Hostel's grand hall, lobby, and book cafe area, featuring a promotional video screening, progress report, award certificate presentation, opening remarks and congratulatory addresses, and facility tours.

The rooftop overlooking the West Sea, corner suite rooms with family bathrooms, and AR sports experience rooms received high praise from attendees. With the official opening and start of accommodation operations on the opening day, the facility recorded a high room occupancy rate, signaling a successful launch.

Mayor Jeong Myung-geun stated, "The Hwaseong Seohae Maru Youth Hostel is a precious hub connecting youth development and regional tourism," and added, "Just as Queenstown in New Zealand has become the center of adventure tourism and a key driver of regional economic revitalization since the world's first commercial bungee jumping began there, the Hwaseong Seohae Maru Youth Hostel is expected to develop into a space where youth dreams and regional vitality grow together."

The 'Hwaseong Seohae Maru Youth Hostel' located in the Gungpyeong Tourist Area in Seoshin-myeon, Hwaseong City, was built on a site of 14,580 square meters with a total floor area of 13,814 square meters, consisting of basement level 1 and above-ground 4 floors. It is available not only to youth but also to the general public.

With a total of 103 rooms, it can accommodate up to 358 people. There are various room types including twin, quad, six-bed, and family rooms, with most offering West Sea views. Family rooms are divided into studio-type (bed and ondol) and living room-style configurations, and are equipped with cooking facilities for family use.

Hwaseong City is expected to expand demand for extended-stay visits based on youth programs and accommodation functions, and is also anticipated to contribute to regional economic revitalization.