Gyeonggi Province Certifies Hwaseong Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall as 'Wellness' Tourist Destination

Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have newly certified seven sites, including Hwaseong Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall, as '2026 Gyeonggi Province Wellness Tourist Destinations.' Consequently, the number of wellness tourist destinations in the province has increased to 22 in total, including the 15 sites certified last year.

The province and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization held the 'Gyeonggi Province Wellness Tourism Advisory Committee' on the 13th and conducted final certification deliberations for 14 candidate sites across 10 cities and counties. On the 17th, they announced that seven sites have been newly certified: Hwaseong Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall, Yongin Beobryunsa Temple, Hanam Aquafield, Yangju Gana Art Park, Yeoju Moak Museum and Hwanghaksan Arboretum, and Yangpyeong Health Tour Center.

'Wellness tourism' is a concept that combines 'Wellness' – which encompasses the meanings of wellbeing, fitness, and happiness – with tourism, referring to tourism activities through which travelers recover and heal both body and mind. Alongside MICE and medical tourism, it is gaining attention as a high-value tourism industry, and the 'Healing Tourism Industry Act' came into effect from April this year.

Hwaseong Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall is a space that reinterprets the historical suffering experienced by residents due to the U.S. Air Force firing range through the values of peace and recovery. It received high praise for healing the trauma of artillery sounds that continued day and night through sound walking programs that utilize the surrounding natural environment and architecture.

Yongin Beobryunsa Temple is a space for religious and cultural experiences where visitors can experience meditation and mental rest through temple food experiences and temple stays. In particular, seasonal temple food healing programs utilizing seasonal ingredients received favorable evaluation.

Hanam Aquafield, Yangju Gana Art Park, Yeoju Moak Museum and Hwanghaksan Arboretum, and Yangpyeong Health Tour Center were also recognized for their programs and tourist attractions utilizing healing, art, nature, and health, earning their places among the newly certified tourist destinations.

The province plans to provide expert customized consultation, capacity-building education, and domestic and international promotion support to certified tourist destinations. It will strengthen content and operational capabilities tailored to the characteristics of each destination and establish a foundation for selection as a 'Recommended Korea Wellness Tourist Destination.'

Gyeonggi Province began full implementation of wellness tourism promotion initiatives last year, initially certifying 15 tourist sites in the province. By adding seven more sites this year, it plans to foster wellness tourism content that highlights regional characteristics and establish a sustainable tourism model that leads to expanded visitor stays and revitalization of surrounding commercial areas.

Park Rae-hyuk, Director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We anticipate that the newly certified tourist destinations will further enrich the appeal of Gyeonggi Province's wellness tourism," and added, "We will strengthen content tailored to the characteristics of each destination so that both domestic and international tourists can stay in Gyeonggi Province to experience rest and healing, and work to ensure that increased tourist inflow and extended stays lead to revitalization of the regional economy."