Vice Minister JANG Visited Taean on March 15, Experienced Local Cuisine and Barefoot Walking on Sinduri Coastal Dune

Listened Opinions from the Tourism sector, Reflecting on Regional Tourism Activation Policies

The Second Vice Minister JANG Mi Ran of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) participated in the “Let’s March Here in March: The Month of Travel, A Local Journey by Train” program, visiting Taean county to sample local cuisine and experience local activities such as barefoot walking on the Sinduri Coastal Dune and foot bathing at a herb farm. The Vice Minister also solicited feedback from train participants and tourism officials to develop strategies to encourage local tourism.

To boost local tourism in March, the MCST has organized “Let’s March Here in March,” a one-day train travel program priced at KRW 30,000. “Let’s March Here in March” includes 24 excursions in 21 depopulated places where you can try local specialties and unique experiences. From March 8 to March 30, there will be seven tours: Jeolla Local Tour (Imsil, Namwon, Gokseong, March 8); Chungcheong Local Tour (Taean, Yesan, Seocheon, March 15); Chungbuk-Gyeongbuk Gourmet Tour (Yeongju, Andong, Danyang, March 16); Gangwon-Chungbuk Mountain Village Tour (Jecheon, Yeongwol, Jeongseon, March 22); Namdo Local Tour (Buan, Gochang, Damyang, March 23); Namdo Spring Tour (Boseong, Hadong, Gurye, March 29); and Gangwon-Chungbuk Local Tour (Goesan, Samcheok, Taebaek, March 30). A total of 1,700 participants will be chosen by lot, with over 100,000 applications submitted to date. Participants can get transportation, experiences, entry to tourist places, food, and other benefits for KRW 30,000. Vice Minister JANG Mi Ran traveled by rail with participants in Taean at the “Chungcheong Local Tour.”

Taste the local food, “Gegukji,” walk barefoot with tourists, and take foot baths.

“Gegukji” is a traditional Taean dish served on the charming white sands of Mallipo Beach. Vice Minister JANG first tried “Gegukji”[1] with tourism reporters at a restaurant near Mallipo Beach to promote local cuisine and discuss methods to increase domestic tourism. Later, she went barefoot earthing with tourists at the Sinduri Coastal Dune. Barefoot walking or earthing means stepping directly on the ground of the earth. It has recently gained popularity on dirt roads, hiking trails, and seaside places because of its stress-relieving and athletic benefits. The Sinduri Coastal Dune is a well-preserved area with desert-specific sceneries, vegetation, and fauna, making it an ideal location for combining health and travel with barefoot walking. It was listed as Natural Monument No. 431 in 2001. Vice Minister JANG then had a footbath at a herb farm.

Vice Minister JANG, in particular, has emphasized the importance of being present on-site by visiting Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, Hoengseong, and Gangneung prior to and during the “Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics,” inspecting facilities and situations, and listening to stakeholder concerns. In light of this, she also solicited feedback this time from passengers on trains and leaders of the travel business.

Namdo Spring Tour (March 29), Gangwon-Chungbuk Local Tour (March 30), submissions due March 17

Starting with the Jeolla Local Tour (Imsil, Namwon, Gokseong) on March 8, “Let’s March Here in March” is now accepting applications[2] for the last two tours, the Namdo Spring Tour (Hadong, Gurye, Boseong), which departs from Busan Station on March 29, and the Gangwon-Chungbuk Local Tour (Goesan, Samcheok, Taebaek), which departs from Seoul Station on March 30. Participants will be able to enjoy spring with a variety of local content, including a cup of tea at Hadong Sunlight Green Tea Garden, which just opened last year; refreshments at Ssangsanjae, one of Korea’s top traditional gardens in Gurye; a mountain goat ranching experience on the pristine 800-meter-high plateau; and a transparent canoeing experience at Janghohang Port, known as the Naples of South Korea.

Vice Minister JANG said, “We have prepared this as a special program for The Month of Travel to publicize the hidden travel charms of regions we don’t know much about and to revitalize local tourism.” She added, “We will continue to visit the site and develop policies to encourage regional tourism that will benefit the people, the tourism sector, and the region.”