6,336 destinations chosen by public vote
Four themed travel routes for this autumn
A stamp-collecting journey to fill the fall
Even failed photos become memories
50 winners to receive custom-printed T-shirts
A public participation event aimed at boosting regional tourism this autumn will spotlight travel destinations discovered by ordinary citizens, offering a chance to spread visitor demand beyond well-known attractions and draw attention to lesser-known spots across the country.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization will launch a public participation event Thursday as part of the "Korea Hidden Gem Discovery 100×100 Project," featuring destinations selected through the initiative. The event covers 9,883 sites — 6,336 after removing duplicates — chosen through votes cast by about 40,000 members of the public.
The event builds on last summer's "Pro Wanderer's Stamp Challenge," which returns in an autumn edition running from Thursday through Nov. 1. The autumn edition is organized around four themes: a sunset autumn drive, a running route through pampas grass fields and fall foliage trails across the country, visits to ancient trees, and a K-Mountain conquest exploring autumn peaks and forests. Participants can enter the event after visiting a destination that fits their chosen theme and completing an on-site check-in.
From Thursday through Oct. 30, the Korea Tourism Organization will also run a "Funny Travel Photo Festival," inviting people to share mishaps from their trips. Participants can enter by uploading an amusing photo taken at one of the designated destinations along with a short episode to the event website. The bar for entry is deliberately low — blurry shots, photos taken with eyes closed, or pictures where something inconveniently blocked the background all qualify. Fifty winners will receive a T-shirt printed with their own submitted photo.
Starting in November, the Korea Tourism Organization plans to roll out additional events, including a pet-friendly tour called "Nooks and Crannies Woof-Meow Tour." All events are accessible through the Korea Tourism Organization's "Corners of Korea" website.
Kim Seok, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's domestic tourism division, said the 100×100 project is designed to introduce the diverse destinations chosen by the public as new travel options. "This fall, instead of just ticking off a destination and heading home, I hope people will try stamping their way through spots, capture unexpected photos, and discover new places in their own way," he said.
terry@heraldcorp.com
