According to Donghae City on the 7th, about 640 members of the Saemaeul Geumgo (community credit cooperatives) from Eumseong and Jeungpyeong in North Chungcheong Province are visiting Donghae in two waves, on April 4 and April 19.
On April 4, 316 people from Eumseong toured Dodaebi-gol Sky Valley and the Jeoncheon Cherry Blossom Tunnel, enjoying city sightseeing tied to the spring blooms. Another group of 330 from Jeungpyeong is scheduled for April 19; the headcount grew beyond initial plans, underscoring rising demand for group travel.
City officials say Donghae’s incentive program for group tours played a big role. The city supports tourism packages that bundle lodging, meals, and site visits—offering up to 200,000 KRW (about $150) per day for day trips and up to 400,000 KRW (about $300) for overnight stays.
Tailored support tied to seasonal attractions, like the cherry blossom season, appears to be drawing groups in.
Donghae plans to keep expanding incentive policies linked to seasonal tourism assets to attract more group visitors, drive local spending, and help revive tourism and the regional economy.
\"Visits by groups from North Chungcheong are helping raise Donghae’s tourism profile,\" said Lee Jin-hwa, director of tourism. \"We’ll continue growing group travel demand through distinctive tourism offerings and targeted support.\"
