Incheon is gearing up to celebrate the second edition of "Incheon Island Day," a dedicated festival designed to spotlight the unique appeal of its 197 islands and draw a wave of new visitors.

According to the Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Tourism Organization, the "2nd Incheon Island Day" event will take place on October 10 at SangSang Platform in Jemulpo-gu.

Co-hosted by the city and organized by the tourism body, the festival was first launched last year. It was created to share Incheon's rich island resources with citizens, foster vibrant exchanges between island residents and urban citizens, and ultimately drive sustainable development across the region, taking inspiration from the national "Island Day" (August 8).

While last year's inaugural event took place on November 29—featuring island introduction booths and direct-deal markets for local specialties—this year's program expands on those offerings.

Highlights of the upcoming event include the "Incheon Island Promotion Lounge," offering a comprehensive look at the current status of the islands, and an exhibition showcasing entries from the "Citizen Island Photography Contest." Visitors can also shop for regional specialties from Ganghwa and Ongjin counties at the dedicated "Specialty Market."

The official ceremony kicks off at 2 PM, featuring cultural performances by island residents, an award ceremony for the photography contest, and commendations for individuals who have contributed significantly to Incheon's island development.

In addition, the event will serve as a public forum to explore sustainable growth strategies for the region, hosting meetings between island residents and officials alongside the Incheon Island Policy Forum.

The city recently finalized its official island tally at 197, comprising 40 inhabited islands and 157 uninhabited islets. Previously managed at 168 (40 inhabited and 128 uninhabited), the statistics were meticulously reorganized to enhance administrative accuracy.

"Our goal is to bridge the gap between island residents and citizens living in urban areas, while promoting the hidden gems we have right in our backyard," an official from the Incheon Tourism Organization explained. "We’ve enriched this year's festival with active participation from locals, including community markets and live band performances. Furthermore, the organization is actively running youth-targeted tourism products such as the Jangbongdo Cherry Blossom Running event, Jawoldo Trail Running, and Deokjeokdo Camping to attract younger generations."

A city representative added, "The core objective is to deepen public understanding of the islands, naturally translating into actual visits and an increase in the regional 'living population' [visitors and commuters]. While adjustments may occur moving forward, our current plan is to establish this as a regular, recurring annual event."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]