The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization are launching a full-scale initiative to develop traditional markets into global tourist attractions.
On Wednesday, the ministry and KTO announced they have selected 11 traditional markets across 10 regions nationwide as the second cohort of the "K-Tourism Market" program following a public competition. The initiative aims to develop traditional markets as signature regional tourism content to attract more foreign visitors and boost local consumption.
The selected markets include Gyeongdong Market and Mangwon Market in Seoul, Haeundae Market in Busan, Seomun Market in Daegu, Sinpo International Market in Incheon, Suwon Nammun Market in Gyeonggi Province, Sokcho Tourism & Fisheries Market in Gangwon Province, Danyang Gugyeong Market in North Chungcheong Province, Jeonju Nambu Market in North Jeolla Province, Andong Old Market Association in North Gyeongsang Province, and Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju.
KTO plans to provide tailored support including brand strategy development, overseas marketing, expanded experience programs, and development of extended-stay tourism products.
The organization will also expand campaigns to establish a culture of hospitality and cleanliness, while improving convenience for foreign tourists through fixed pricing systems, enhanced payment infrastructure, and multilingual guidance services. Additional amenities such as customized packaging services and luggage storage for foreign visitors will also be strengthened.
Furthermore, the program will extend visitors' stay duration and stimulate local spending by expanding experiential programs that link local cuisine, festivals, and nighttime tourism content. KTO also outlined plans to establish a cooperative framework among the organization, local governments, and merchant associations to spread the tourism-oriented traditional market model nationwide.
"Traditional markets are core tourism assets where visitors can experience K-food and K-culture most vividly," said Kang Yu-young, head of KTO's Regional Tourism Development Team. "We will actively support efforts to strengthen each market's unique appeal and establish them as must-visit destinations representing Korea."