Chungnam Province is stepping up efforts to attract visitors from Southeast Asia and Japan by highlighting its rich history, cultural heritage, wellness escapes and vibrant foodie scene.
The province said that, from the 10th to the 13th, it partnered with the Korea Tourism Organization’s Singapore office to host a three-night, four-day fam trip for 22 travel agents and media representatives from Singapore.
The itinerary was built around immersive experiences — from Baekje history and culture to nature, healing programs and local gastronomy — with the goal of showing what makes Chungnam tourism stand out.
On day one, participants visited the National Buyeo Museum and the Baekje Cultural Complex, tried on hanbok and soaked up the atmosphere of Baekje-era culture. They also attended a Chungnam tourism briefing and networked with local tourism officials.
On the 11th, the group rode the Yedang Lake monorail, crossed the Yedang Lake suspension bridge and explored Yesan Market, sampling the region’s signature sights and food culture.
A hands-on apple pie workshop using Yesan’s celebrated apples drew particular attention as a foodie-focused experience.
On the 12th, attendees visited the Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo to enjoy spring flower displays, scouted a glamping site and tried marine-healing programs at the Taean Marine Healing Center. On the final day, the tour wrapped up with a rice nuruk bath-soak workshop and a traditional liquor tasting at Sinpyeong Brewery.
The province plans to build on this fam trip by developing new tour packages for Singaporean visitors and creating social-media content to raise Chungnam’s profile locally and abroad.
Meanwhile, from the 11th to the 13th, Chungnam officials spent two nights and three days in Osaka and Fukuoka to consult with local travel-industry partners on developing Chungnam-focused tour products.
The delegation — which included the provincial office, Chungnam’s Japan office and the Chungnam Tourism Association — concentrated on building partnerships with major local travel agencies and designing specialized tours for Japanese visitors.
They met with leading Japanese travel companies such as Club Tourism, HIS and JTB to showcase Chungnam’s attractions and brainstorm culinary and seasonal-themed offerings.
In talks with the Korea Tourism Organization’s Fukuoka office, they also explored collaborative ways to expand Chungnam’s promotion and boost tourism activity.
A Chungnam official said, “Travel operators in Singapore and Japan showed strong interest in Chungnam’s historical, cultural, natural and healing tourism resources. We will keep expanding cooperation with local travel agencies and partner organizations so Chungnam’s distinctive experiences can be turned into viable overseas tour products.”
