The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) designated Ulsan Metropolitan City as the new target site for the Barrier-Free Tourism Accessibility Enhancement Project.

This initiative focuses on improving accessibility and connectivity among all tourism-related aspects within a region, including tourist destinations, private facilities, and travel services, to facilitate convenient tourism experiences for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, families with young children, and others. To achieve this, the project places a strong emphasis on comprehensively improving barrier-free tourism by introducing accessible tourism transportation, enhancing access and service connectivity for nearby accommodations, dining, shopping, and other facilities, and providing tourism information.

Providing transport for vulnerable groups, improving access to amenities, establishing integrated information services, and developing barrier-free tourism products

After initially selecting Gangneung City as the first Barrier-Free City in 2022, MCST and KTO conducted a new call for proposals and ultimately selected Ulsan Metropolitan City as the latest target site for the project two years later. Ulsan Metropolitan City submitted a well organized plan that defined its tourism zones as the “Urban Garden District,” which includes Taehwagang National Garden and Ulsan Grand Park, and the “Marine Park District,” featuring Daewangam Park and Ilsan Beach. This plan focused on enhancing connectivity between these tourism districts. Ulsan also proposed directions for improving tourism services, including enhancing barrier-free tourism quality through education and preparing service guides for vulnerable groups.

MCST will support Ulsan Metropolitan City with up to KRW 4 billion in national funds over three years (2024–2026). Starting with professional consulting in May this year, the project plans include providing transportation for vulnerable groups, improving the accessibility of facilities like restaurants and accommodations, developing integrated barrier-free tourism information services, and creating barrier-free tourism products.

PARK Jong Taek, the Director-General for the Tourism Policy Bureau at the Ministry, stated, “Through this project, following Gangneung City, we will strive further to create a tourism environment in Ulsan Metropolitan City that all can enjoy without restrictions and to improve the local tourism conditions for vulnerable groups.”