'Aquaplanet Gwangkyo' Opens, Suwon Completes 'MICE Complex'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] With the opening of a large-scale aquarium near Suwon Convention Center, the 'Suwon MICE Complex' has been completed.

'Aquaplanet Gwangkyo,' which opened on the 19th, spans 6,500 square meters with a tank capacity of 2,000 tons and is located on the first basement level of 'Galleria Gwangkyo Passage.' It is a large aquarium where visitors can see marine life of approximately 210 species (30,000 animals), including sand tiger sharks, small-clawed otters, and penguins.

Beginning with the opening of Suwon Convention Center in March 2019, followed by the opening of 'Courtyard by Marriott Suwon' (hotel) last January, 'Galleria Gwangkyo' (department store) in March, and 'Aquaplanet Gwangkyo' today, the Suwon Convention Center area has established itself as a 'MICE Complex' representative of southern Gyeonggi Province.

'Aquaplanet Gwangkyo' consists of nine zones. Major attractions include the large main tank 'Ocean in the City,' the 'Aqua Friends Zone' featuring around 500 piranhas in a spectacular display, the 'Aqua Bubble Zone,' and 'Penguin Village Zone.'

There is also a 'Playground Zone' where children can play and engage in marine science activities, as well as the 'Water Life Circle.'

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young visited Aquaplanet Gwangkyo on the 18th to tour major facilities.

A city official stated, "Aquaplanet Gwangkyo is expected to play a major role in establishing the Suwon Convention Center area as a representative tourism and MICE district in southern Gyeonggi Province," adding, "Given heightened concerns about the spread of COVID-19, we will work with the operator to strictly adhere to step-by-step quarantine guidelines in accordance with social distancing measures."

Suwon Convention Center spans a site area of 55,000 square meters with a total floor area of 97,602 square meters, comprising two basement levels and five above-ground floors. It features convention halls, exhibition halls, event halls, conference rooms (28), and a cloud garden (rooftop).

MICE is an acronym for ▲Meeting (corporate conferences) ▲Incentive travel (incentive tourism) ▲Convention (international conferences) ▲Exhibition (exhibitions) and refers to a convergence industry.

The MICE industry is called a 'smokeless gold industry' due to its diverse related industries and substantial economic ripple effects. It creates high-value-added effects including regional economic activation, connected tourism boom creation, and enhanced city image.