SEOUL, June 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The pandemic has reduced the popularity of large entertainment facilities such as theme parks in the greater Seoul areas, encouraging people to visit nature in the countryside.
The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute reported that some 3.2 million people visited Gangu Port in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, which was the most popular tourist destination last year.
Gangu Port was followed by Seonyu Island in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province (2.88 million visits), Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province (2.75 million), Dodamsambong Peaks in Danyang, North Chungcheong Province (2.69 million) and the Expo Ocean Park in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province (2.58 million).
Among the top 10 tourist destinations, six were outside of the greater Seoul areas and most were either natural attractions or parks.
In contrast, 6 out of 10 top tourist destinations in 2019 were within the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area.
In 2019, Everland topped the charts after attracting 6.61 million visitors, followed by Lotte World (3rd place, 5.79 million), KINTEX convention center (4th place, 5.71 million), Gyeongbok Palace (5th place, 5.35 million), National Museum of Korea (9th place, 3.35 million), and Seoul Race Park (10th place, 3.1 million).
Image Credit: North Jeolla Provincial Office / Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
