Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "Please Unite to Make Suwon a World-Class Tourist City"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "I hope citizens will join us in the journey to make Suwon a global culture and tourism festival city."

Attending the 'Global Culture and Tourism Festival Committee Launch Ceremony' held at the Suwon Convention Center on the 16th, Mayor Lee stated, "Our goal is to develop the 'K-Culture Road' based on the joint reenactment of King Jeongjo's royal procession into a global festival," and urged, "Please unite to make Suwon a world-class tourism industry city."

The launch ceremony announced Suwon City's new beginning as a leap toward becoming a global culture and tourism festival city and shared the vision of 'Global Culture and Tourism City Suwon' with citizens.

Following the launch ceremony, a talk concert was held featuring Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, Councilmember Kim Jun-hyuk (Suwon City Council), Professor Chung Ran-soo from Hanyang University's Department of Tourism, and broadcaster Alberto Mondi from Italy as panelists.

The Global Culture and Tourism Festival Committee supports the development of Suwon's cultural tourism resources—including the three major Hwaseong festivals of the Suwon Hwaseong Culture Festival, the joint reenactment of King Jeongjo's royal procession, and Suwon Hwaseong Media Art—into world-class festival content.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun presented appointment certificates to committee members, including Co-chair Chung Chan-hae. He also appointed Councilmember Kim Jun-hyuk as honorary director-general of the Global Culture and Tourism Festival.

The talk concert discussed topics including the charm of Suwon as seen by international tourists, the global competitiveness of Suwon Hwaseong as a tourism resource, and the growth potential of the three major Hwaseong festivals.

Alberto Mondi said, "After living in Korea for 19 years, I have visited Suwon many times, and I recommend to my foreign friends who come to Korea, 'You must visit Suwon,' and everyone who has been to Suwon is satisfied."

Professor Chung Ran-soo from Hanyang University stated, "Three things are necessary for advancing toward a world-class culture and tourism festival city: representativeness, participation, and extended stay potential," and suggested, "It is necessary to brand Suwon as the closest 'World Heritage Festival City' to Seoul."

Councilmember Kim Jun-hyuk said, "By widely promoting the stories contained within Suwon Hwaseong—such as King Jeongjo's reform spirit and his compassionate governance—we can attract tourists."

Mayor Lee Jae-jun noted, "We must widely promote festival content including attractions, entertainment, and experiences that Suwon offers, and expand festival spaces," and predicted, "If our citizens warmly welcome tourists, even more visitors will come to Suwon."

Meanwhile, the city plans to cultivate the three major Hwaseong festivals into cultural tourism content attracting global visitors and strengthen the foundation of an 'extended stay tourism city' where festivals, tourism, historical and cultural resources, local commerce, and citizen participation are connected.