Suncheon, the driving force behind South Jeolla Province's largest self-funded livelihood support payments, announced that visitors to Suncheon Bay National Garden surpassed 1 million this year as of the 20th. The milestone was reached four days earlier than the previous year, with tourism revenue also expected to hit record-breaking figures.
Behind this popularity lies a strategy that reinterprets the garden beyond mere flower viewing into a "space for experience," according to officials.
Changes are also emerging in visitor demographics. Moving away from the previous focus on group bus tours, family visitors have noticeably increased.
Foreign visitors of various nationalities, including Chinese cruise tourists, grew by approximately 50% compared to the same period last year, reaching about 9,000 and solidifying the garden's status as a global tourist destination.
Suncheon City's planning capabilities also stand out. Suncheon Bay National Garden focuses on expanding spatial experiences. The city is planning cultural events and floral arrangements that reinterpret existing spaces and combine them with content to enhance the density of experience.
At the Stream Path Garden, where the sound of flowing water blends with dense greenery, the "Garden Meditation" program (including knitting meditation and writing meditation) was operated, drawing strong responses as a new type of content that lets visitors linger and rest within the garden.
Around the Space Hub, "Garden Picnic" offered a leisurely garden culture featuring lunch boxes and mats, with jazz performances suited to spring adding deep satisfaction for visitors.
In the Dutch Garden, where tulips bloomed in full splendor, events such as "Spring Brings Tulips" turned various spots throughout the garden into beloved photo zones.
Notably, with more than 100,000 visitors last weekend on the 11th and 12th, restaurants, cafes and lodging facilities throughout downtown Suncheon saw renewed vitality. The Suncheon Bay National Garden effect is extending even to reviving neighborhood commercial districts.
"Sales have increased more than 30% compared to the same period last year, and we've recorded the highest sales since opening," nearby merchants said, welcoming the surge.
The garden is expected to become even more diverse going forward. A series of programs fusing experience, culture and events will unfold, including the French Garden Princess and Prince Festival (working title) and the Space Hub Starlight Serenade (candlelight performance).
Floral arrangements will also be refreshed. Roses and peonies will bloom in May, followed by lilies and hydrangeas in June, with content aligned to the flow of the seasons. Amaryllis, a flower that can only be seen along Bald Cypress Path, began blooming this week and will greet visitors through June.
"Suncheon Bay National Garden is now evolving beyond a simple space for viewing flowers into a complex platform where visitors stay, experience and share emotions," Suncheon Mayor Noh Kwan-kyu said. "By continuously expanding content that leverages the characteristics of seasons and spaces, we will grow it into a global garden tourism destination representing Korea and a key hub driving the regional economy."
