Editorial Is the Global Promotion of 'Suwon Visitation Year' Going Well?
Among the three mid- to long-term strategies for Suwon revealed at the 2026 New Year press briefing held on January 6, "world-class cultural tourism city" was included. The city announced plans to promote 2026 and 2027 as "Suwon Visitation Year." Suwon City also introduced a major transformation project for tourism aimed at achieving an annual tourism target of 15 million visitors. The city's promotion strategy for Suwon Visitation Year includes strengthening tourism content capabilities, attracting tourists through mega projects, hosting customized events and festivals, improving tourism reception facilities for visitor convenience, and developing diverse tourism products.
Suwon City's judgment that the tourism industry is the central axis for revitalizing the region's future is correct. However, the city's initial plan was rudimentary. There were also criticisms that it was hastily prepared. Many of the existing projects, festivals, and events were carried over, and no distinctive or impressive new content was visible. The only new initiative was the Gyeonggi Indie Music Festival. The global promotion was also difficult to praise.
However, as time passed, Suwon's potential was demonstrated. The city made multifaceted efforts to promote foreign tourism. On April 19, player Park Ji-sung invited world-class football stars who played for Manchester United in England's Premier League to Suwon and hosted an event where they toured the city's attractions together. They shot bows at Yeonmudeae, rode the Hwaseong tour train, toured Suwon's downtown area, strolled along Hwaseong Fortress walls, took commemorative photos at Jangan Gate Ongseong, and ate Suwon galbi.
The two YouTube videos capturing these moments spread worldwide, garnering over 3 million views. Famous players including Abreu (France), Ferdinand (England), Vandesar (Netherlands), and Anderson (Brazil) also posted Suwon travel content on their personal social media accounts. The effect of the content posted by these players on SNS appeared immediately. Travelers who watched the players experience traditional Korean archery flocked to Yeonmudeae's archery range. According to Suwon City's announcement, visitor numbers increased by 33.3% compared to the previous year.
The city is utilizing famous influencers to attract foreign tourists. With the support of Korean-Turkish international couples and Korean-Japanese international couples, as well as foreign influencers creating content featuring Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Haengridangil, Namsuheon and Suwon Media Center, fried chicken alley and drama filming locations, and Gwanggyo, the city is receiving positive responses and comments from foreign subscribers.
In March, the city actively worked to attract Chinese tourists in collaboration with Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. Chinese shopping hosts and influencers broadcast from a live studio set up at Suwon Starfield, showcasing major shopping malls in Suwon, alleyways, fried chicken alley, and Haengridangil to China's largest online travel platform. Over four broadcasts across two days, the program recorded a total of over 16.33 million views. Educational travel group famtrips from Japan were also conducted, and the city is preparing for filming of a Taiwanese entertainment program this month.
The importance of promotion in the tourism industry needs no explanation. In that regard, Suwon City's active global promotion deserves attention. As Suwon actively introduces its historical, cultural, culinary, and sports resources to people worldwide, we support Suwon City's journey toward becoming a "global cultural tourism city that captures the world's attention."