Province pitches 10 flagship projects along south coast, Jirisan, aiming to shift toward stay-based resort tourism
Twelve pre-matched deals draw one-on-one talks, with strongest interest in Namhae's Jodo and Goseong's Jarando
Gov. Park Wan-su: 'We will turn this vision into real projects with full one-stop permitting support'
South Gyeongsang Province has launched a push to attract domestic and foreign tourism investment, highlighting the scenic natural landscapes of its south coast and Jirisan. The province aims to shift its tourism model away from simple sightseeing and toward high value-added, stay-based resort development to revitalize the local economy.
The province held the "2026 South Gyeongsang Province International Tourism Investment Briefing" at Changwon Convention Center on Wednesday morning, mounting a major tourism sales campaign.
The event, first held in 2024 and now staged every two years, drew about 200 representatives from major global and domestic companies. Attendees included Singapore's GSBB Horizon Fund, Vietnam's FLC Group, Indonesia's Archipelago Group, Hanwha Hotel and Sono International. Foreign attendance rose sharply to 40 people from 20 countries, up from 31 people from 10 countries at the inaugural event. The increase signals growing overseas capital interest in South Gyeongsang's tourism sector.
At the briefing, the province spotlighted 10 key projects within the region that urgently need private capital. The sites were split into two zones by function: the southern coastal area, centered on marine leisure, and the Jirisan area, focused on wellness and healing.
Five sites were presented in the southern coastal area: Jodo, known locally as Namhae's "Diet Treasure Island"; the Jarando Marine Healing Complex in Goseong; and a decommissioned shipyard site in Tongyeong. Also included were the Wellive hotel site in Geoje and a marine tourism site in Hadong. Five sites were named in the Jirisan area, led by the long-stalled Bugok Hawaii in Changnyeong, along with the Bojo Dam tourist site in Hapcheon and Baekyeon Recreation Area in Hamyang. Also included were the Sincheon-ri bamboo grove in Sancheong and a former interchange site in Haman.
At consultation booths set up for 10 cities and counties, intensive one-on-one investment talks proceeded, centered on 12 pre-matched deals. Overall, interest from domestic and foreign capital concentrated heavily on southern coastal sites offering outstanding ocean views.
In particular, hotel operators and development contractors raised detailed inquiries about high-end marine resort projects that would make use of the island terrain at Namhae's Jodo and Goseong's Jarando. By contrast, interest in the Jirisan area sites centered largely on working-level inquiries into the feasibility of mid- to long-term healing complexes combining hot springs and forest resources. Solutions for large, long-stalled projects burdened by complicated ownership rights and regulations were also a key focus of discussion. These included the former shipyard site in Tongyeong and Bugok Hawaii in Changnyeong.
The province and relevant cities and counties sat down directly with investors at the booths to explain detailed site conditions and infrastructure support plans. Rather than churn out superficial MOUs or letters of intent on the spot, the sides focused on substantive investment matching. The goal was to gauge the actual likelihood that projects would move forward. Plans to expand regional transportation infrastructure — including the Gadeokdo New Airport, the Southern Inland Railway (KTX) line and the Jinhae New Port development — also underpinned the investment appeal.
"We will not let the vision of 'a great transformation of the south coast, a great leap for South Gyeongsang tourism,' declared in July, remain a mere slogan — we will complete it through concrete projects and real investment," Gov. Park Wan-su said in his welcoming remarks. "We will provide one-stop administrative support, from site selection to permitting and regulatory improvements, so that investing companies coming to South Gyeongsang can establish themselves on the ground early."
The province will run two-course site tours covering the southern coastal area and the Jirisan area on Thursday and Friday for about 30 domestic and international investors who pre-registered. Dedicated civil servants from the relevant cities and counties will accompany investors on site to let them directly check location conditions. The province plans to focus follow-up support on analyzing submitted investment terms to help move deals toward actual contracts.
ook967@heraldcorp.com
