Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation hosts a successful fam tour for major Seoul-based inbound agencies, building strong momentum for extended-stay travel packages tied to mega-events like the 2027 World Youth Day and the 2027 Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo.

The Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government and the Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation recently hosted a 1-night, 2-day fam tour and tourism briefing session from September 3 to 4, inviting over 30 representatives and itinerary planners from major Seoul-based inbound travel agencies. Designed to directly attract foreign tourists and vitalize regional stay-type tourism, the event aimed to showcase the diverse charms of South Chungcheong Province—seamlessly bridging heritage, nature, and contemporary popular culture.

Moving beyond traditional, superficial sightseeing models, this program was meticulously curated to match the preferences, transit efficiency, and hands-on experiential demands of international travelers. By connecting the northern, Naepo, Baekje cultural, and southern zones of the province, the organizers sought to lay the groundwork for practical, competitive inbound travel packages through intensive B2B networking.

Day 1: Tracing History and Modern Rural Aesthetics in Dangjin, Yesan, and Buyeo

The fam tour commenced on September 3 at the Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin, the birthplace of Father Andrew Kim Taegon, Korea’s first Catholic priest. Adding profound significance to the stop, officials from the Dangjin City Tourism Division delivered an engaging presentation on religious pilgrimage resources linked to the upcoming 2027 World Youth Day (WYD), drawing enthusiastic responses from participating travel executives. As Seoul and surrounding regions prepare to host global Catholic youth for WYD in August 2027, regional stakeholders are positioning Chungnam’s rich sacred sites as essential components of international pilgrimage itineraries. 

The itinerary then moved to Yesan, where participants explored the Yesan Apple Wine Farm for agricultural harvesting and winery tours, underscoring the strong competitive edge of Korean local-content rural tourism. In the afternoon, the delegation inspected the Buyeo Baekje Cultural Complex, absorbing the grand historical legacy of the ancient Baekje Kingdom.

The first day concluded with the "Chungnam Tourism Briefing Session" and a networking dinner held at the Baekje Cultural Complex. Key hospitality figures—including sales managers from premier provincial hotels and resorts—joined the event to pitch their top-tier lodging infrastructure and amenities. This session facilitated active B2B consultations aimed at crafting sustainable, multi-night inbound accommodation packages.

Day 2: Waterway Scenery and Hallyu Landmarks in Buyeo and Nonsan

On September 4, the second day kicked off at Buyeo’s Gungnamji Pond, recognized as Korea’s oldest artificial pavilion pond created during the reign of King Mu of Baekje. Participants strolled along the serene waterscape, appreciating traditional Korean landscape architecture.

The tour subsequently transitioned to Nonsan, a prominent hub for Korean Wave (Hallyu) content, featuring immersive visits to Sunshine Land and Sunshine Studio. On-site, representatives from the Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo organizing committee conducted a proactive promotional session for the 2027 Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo, scheduled to take place from February 26 to March 21, 2027. Operating under the theme "K-Strawberries! Smart Agriculture, Healthy Future," the expo is set to become the world's first international exposition dedicated exclusively to the strawberry industry, blending cutting-edge smart farming technology, food tech, and global trade. 

Industry Feedback and Strategic Outlook

Reflecting on the tour, an executive from a participating inbound agency remarked, “The itinerary brilliantly wove together diverse themes—from heritage assets like the Dangjin Solmoe Shrine and Baekje historical sites to Yesan winery experiences and Nonsan’s Hallyu attractions. It is exceptionally well-suited for developing extended-stay packages for foreign visitors. We actively plan to build new thematic itineraries tied to mega-events like the 2027 World Youth Day and the Nonsan Strawberry Expo.” 

A representative of the Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation emphasized, “This event provided travel decision-makers with a firsthand look at our core regional resources. We will maintain close communication with the tourism industry and deliver multifaceted marketing support to translate these fam tours into actual foreign tourist arrivals and expanded travel volume.”

With prominent global gatherings on the horizon, Chungcheongnam-do continues to accelerate its transition toward becoming a premier, multi-day destination for international travelers seeking both historical depth and contemporary Korean culture.

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