[Editorial] Is Global Promotion for 'Year of Suwon Visit' Going Well?
Among the three mid to long-term initiatives for Suwon city government announced at the 2026 New Year press briefing held on January 6, "a world-class cultural tourism city" was included. Suwon City announced plans to promote 2026 and 2027 as the "Year of Suwon Visit." The city also introduced a Suwon tourism transformation project aimed at achieving 15 million annual tourists. Suwon City's promotion strategy for the Year of Suwon Visit includes strengthening tourism content capabilities, attracting tourists through mega projects, hosting customized events and programs, improving tourism infrastructure for visitor convenience, and developing diverse tourism products.
Suwon City's judgment that the tourism industry is a central axis for revitalizing the region's future is correct. However, the city's initially announced plan was lacking. There were criticisms that it was hastily put together. Many of the projects, festivals, and events were existing initiatives, and there was no differentiation or striking new content. The only new addition was the Gyeonggi Indie Music Festival. Global promotion also raised eyebrows.
However, as time passed, Suwon's inherent strengths began to show. Multi-faceted efforts were made to revitalize foreign tourism. On April 19, footballer Park Ji-sung invited world-class soccer stars who played for Manchester United in the English Premier League to Suwon to tour local attractions together. They shot arrows at Yeonmudae, rode in Hwaseong traditional carriages, toured Suwon's downtown area, walked along the Hwaseong fortress walls, took commemorative photos at Jangan Gate, and enjoyed Suwon galbi.
Two YouTube videos capturing these moments spread worldwide, surpassing 3 million views. Famous players including Evra (France), Ferdinand (England), Vande Sar (Netherlands), and Anderson (Brazil) also posted Suwon travel content on their personal social media accounts. The effect of the content these players posted on social media was immediate. Travelers who saw the players experience Korean archery flocked to Yeonmudae's archery range. Visitors increased by 33.3% compared to the previous year, according to Suwon City's announcement.
The city is utilizing famous influencers to attract foreign tourists. Foreign influencers, including Korean-Turkish and Korean-Japanese international couples, are being supported in producing content of traveling to Hwaseong Palace and Haengridangil, Namsuheon and Suwon Media Center, chicken street and drama filming locations, and Gwanggyo, generating favorable responses and comments from foreign subscribers.
In March, the city actively worked with the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization to attract Chinese tourists. Chinese shopping hosts and influencers broadcast live from a studio set up at Suwon Starfield, showcasing large shopping malls in Suwon and tteokbokki street, chicken street and Haengridangil and other existing tourist attractions to China's largest online travel platform. Over two days and four sessions, viewership exceeded 16.33 million views. Educational travel group famtours from Japan were also conducted, and filming of a Taiwan variety show is scheduled for this month.
In the tourism industry, there is no need to explain the importance of promotion. From that perspective, Suwon City's active global promotion deserves attention. As Suwon actively introduces its historical, cultural, culinary, and sports resources to people around the world, we support Suwon City's journey toward becoming a "global cultural tourism city attracting worldwide attention."