Ulsan's 'Goraejam' lodging puts Jangsaengpo on the map for overnight tourists

Goraejam, a family-oriented tourist lodging facility in Jangsaengpo, Ulsan, has posted a 78% occupancy rate within its first month of operation, with seven out of 10 guests coming from outside the city — signaling its potential as a nationwide destination for extended stays.

The facility opened July 29 after Nam-gu converted an idle former navy quarters inside the Whale Culture Village into tourist accommodation. It spans three above-ground floors with a total floor area of 761.13 square meters and offers 11 rooms, each 40 square meters. The rooms include four two-bedroom units and seven three-bedroom units.

Rates for four guests per night are 70,000 won ($51) on weekdays and 80,000 won on weekends and public holidays during the peak season from June through August, and 50,000 won on weekdays and 60,000 won on weekends and public holidays during the off-season.

The Ulsan Nam-gu Urban Management Corporation analyzed usage data from Aug. 6 to Aug. 31 and announced Saturday that the daily average occupancy rate stood at 78 percent, 71 percent of guests were from outside the region, and the average number of guests per room per night was 3.8.

The results have raised expectations that Goraejam, built around Jangsaengpo's whale tourism resources, can play a meaningful role in drawing family visitors from across the country for multi-night stays.

The corporation said it plans to offer visitors a more comfortable and distinctive lodging experience through ongoing operational improvements, including greater in-room convenience, a smoother booking and check-in process, and facility upgrades.

"We will reflect the feedback we gathered by communicating directly with guests on-site in the early days after opening and turn Goraejam into a premium lodging destination that visitors will want to return to," said Lee Chun-sil, head of the Ulsan Nam-gu Urban Management Corporation.