Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon: "Ultimate Goal of Suwon Visit Year is to Make Suwon a Global Brand"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon emphasized that "the ultimate purpose of promoting the '2026-2027 Suwon Visit Year' is to make Suwon a global brand."

Presiding over the 'Suwon Visit Year Progress Report Meeting' held in the City Hall Conference Room on the 28th, Mayor Lee said, "The tourism resources that Suwon possesses—including culture, arts, sports, and festivals—are excellent," adding, "Let's actively promote Suwon's charm to the world and attract tourists." He further expressed expectations, saying, "When many tourists visit Suwon, small business owners, alley commercial areas, and traditional markets will benefit."

The meeting was held with Mayor Lee Jae-joon, First Vice Mayor Kim Hyun-soo, division and department heads, and officials from collaborating organizations in attendance. The agenda included reports on Suwon Visit Year promotion projects and discussions.

The city is promoting the '2026-2027 Suwon Visit Year' under the slogan 'Suwon For YOU (A Tourism City for You)'. The goal is to develop a global tourism city attracting 15 million visitors. The Suwon Visit Year Promotion Committee and Citizens Initiative Corps were launched in April.

The core strategies for the Suwon Visit Year are △expanding global awareness △establishing tourism reception capabilities △fostering a tourism economy ecosystem △enhancing service-mindedness with citizens.

The city plans to increase tourism content competitiveness by discovering and spreading tourism infrastructure based on K-content, activating public hanok villages, and specializing the Yeongdong Market hanbok district.

Local content includes △K-heritage culinary tours accompanied by chicken △Suwon Sports Royal Tour △permanent operations at the Jeongjo Theme Performance Hall △Hwahong Pungryuh (special traditional music performances) △nighttime opening of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace △Suwon Arboretum night garden lights.

The city has established a private cooperation system by signing business agreements with the International Tourism Forum, Korea Mobile Payment Promotion Institute, Suwon Post Office, and Brewery Association, while developing and operating local tourism content.

Tourism reception capabilities are also being improved. Infrastructure for foreign tourist payment convenience has been expanded, and the accessible tourism minibus 'Suwon Haengcha' has begun operations. Guidance signage has been comprehensively reorganized.

The city participated in large-scale exhibitions and tourism fairs including the 2026 Korea Festival Expo (April) and the 41st Seoul International Tourism Fair (June). The 'Fifth World Tourism Industry Conference' was held on June 5-6, and '2026 Hwallang Art Festival in Suwon' took place June 25-28. The '2026 Suwon Top 100 Restaurants Touch Suwon Service' launched on July 6.

Major events are scheduled to follow. Suwon Hwaseong's three major festivals will be held in September and October. The 2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art, themed "New Light Dancing—Hwaseong Blooms in Light," will be held from September 19 to October 6 in the areas around Hwaseomun Gate, Jangan Gate, and Jangan Park.

The 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Culture Festival will be held for eight days from October 4-11 in the areas around Haenggung Plaza, Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Suwon Hwaseong. The 2026 King Jeongjo Royal Procession Joint Reenactment will take place on October 4.

In September, the Korea-China-Japan PD Forum and Suwon Drone and Fireworks Festival will be held, and the Gyeonggi Indie Music Festival will take place October 17-18 at Seoho Lawn Plaza. Hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by Suwon City and the Gyeonggi Content Agency, the Gyeonggi Indie Music Festival is a cultural event providing performance opportunities for indie artists and diverse music experiences for audiences.