A view of the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju. [North Gyeongsang Cultural Tourism Corporation]
A view of the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju. [North Gyeongsang Cultural Tourism Corporation]

North Gyeongsang Province is pushing to become a global tourism hub, capitalizing on the international recognition it gained from hosting the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Foreign visitors to North Gyeongsang Province totaled about 4.66 million in the first nine months of this year, up 15 percent from the same period last year, according to the North Gyeongsang Cultural Tourism Corporation, citing data from the Korea Tourism Data Lab.

Gyeongju drew about 1.16 million foreign visitors, a 19.6 percent increase, while Andong saw a 34.5 percent rise to about 278,000.

Ahead of the APEC summit, the corporation invested a total of 15 billion won ($11.3 million), including national government funds, to improve the nighttime landscape of the Bomun Tourist Complex.

The project added an APEC commemorative sculpture and media art installation at Bomun Lakeside Plaza and upgraded landscape lighting along walking paths and major bridges to strengthen the area's nighttime tourism appeal.

The corporation is also expanding tourism content that highlights the region's distinct character.

Through its "North Gyeongsang Travel MVTI" and "North Gyeongsang Gourmet Travel METI" platforms, it introduces seasonal destinations and local cuisine. It also plans to boost culinary tourism through overseas food tourism road shows and events such as a K-dessert and tea culture festival.

Efforts to attract private investment and streamline regulations are also gaining momentum.

Over the past year, the corporation signed mutual-benefit investment agreements worth 500 billion won with 10 companies within the Bomun Tourist Complex.

It is pursuing the nation's first mixed-use facility zone designation and working to attract a 130-room Hyatt Alila luxury hotel, along with resorts and a tourism-oriented distillery, to build out the complex's long-stay offerings.

A commemorative event marking the first anniversary of the APEC summit is also planned. The "2026 Gyeongju APEC Memorial Festa" will be held Friday and Saturday at Seondeok Plaza in Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, featuring a mock summit, an APEC world culture pavilion, K-beauty experiences and other programs.

On Saturday, Gyeongju Expo Grand Park will reopen as the "Gyeongju APEC Memorial Park" and an APEC Summit Memorial Hall will open its doors. At the Bomun Tourist Complex, a night run for 5,000 participants dubbed "Bomun Night Run with Wally," a drone light show and fireworks are also scheduled.

Going forward, the corporation plans to expand nighttime tourism content along the 9.5-kilometer walking trail around Bomun Lake and translate the heightened profile North Gyeongsang gained through APEC into greater visitor numbers and a more vibrant local economy.

"Building on the regulatory reforms and private investment achievements of the past year, we will leap forward as a global K-tourism hub where visitors stay, linger and feel genuinely moved," said Kim Nam-il, president of the North Gyeongsang Cultural Tourism Corporation.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com