South Gyeongsang Province seeks promising tourism firms for early-stage support program

South Gyeongsang Province and the Gyeongnam Tourism Business Support Center under the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation announced Wednesday they will accept applications for the "2026 Gyeongnam Tourism Business Support Center Partner Companies" program from Aug. 21 through Sept. 1. The initiative aims to identify promising tourism companies in the province at an early stage and build a foundation for developing them into startups.

Eligible applicants are companies headquartered or with a branch office in South Gyeongsang Province as of the announcement date that are operating or preparing to launch a tourism-related business. Up to nine firms will be selected, with final results announced Sept. 14. Interested companies can download the application form from the center's website and submit it by email.

Selected firms will receive free use of facilities at the center — including private offices, co-working spaces, a business center and meeting rooms — through December. They will also receive tailored support through networking events with tourism and related companies, demo day participation, and product promotion and market development opportunities via pop-up stores and trade fairs.

Partner companies that complete the program will receive preferential bonus points when applying for the "2027 Gyeongnam Tourism Startup (8th cohort)" competition. Bonus points are awarded by category — three points for academy graduates, two points each for partner companies and pop-up store participants, and two points for youth-led firms — with a maximum of five points applicable, helping firms build toward formal startup status.

Bae Jong-cheon, president of the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation, said the program aims to identify tourism companies with strong growth potential and expand opportunities for inter-company exchange, urging wide participation. Kim Sang-won, director of the province's tourism development bureau, said the province will continue providing tailored support to help promising local tourism firms build competitiveness and achieve stable growth.