As crisp autumn breezes begin to blow, the number of people heading out for seasonal outings is on the rise. In Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, a world-class exposition themed around islands and the sea is currently welcoming visitors. As the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo gains vibrant momentum with a steady influx of group tours, it is drawing attention as a quintessential autumn travel destination where visitors can view exhibitions, enjoy live performances and interactive programs, and take in the stunning sunset and night views of the Yeosu sea.

Opened on September 5, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo is being held around the Dolsan Jinmo District in Yeosu under the theme "Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future." Spanning an area of approximately 180,000 square meters, the expo venue offers exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and performance programs showcasing island cultures and futures from around the globe.

While the early days of the expo saw primarily individual visitors, recent weeks have seen a surge in group visitors from schools, institutions, and regional organizations, bringing palpable energy to the venue. Family visitors are also utilizing the expo as a comprehensive outing course, enjoying both the exhibits and interactive programs together.

Discovering Global Islands and Imagining Island Futures

The greatest charm of the Yeosu World Island Expo is undoubtedly the opportunity to experience diverse islands in a single location. The 'International Exchange Island'—featuring participation from 30 overseas local governments and three international organizations including the WHO and UNICEF—has captured visitors' attention by bringing together the cultures and natural wonders of global islands such as the Galapagos, Santorini, and Takile.

The interactive exhibition hall, 'Treasure Island,' has received particularly enthusiastic responses from family visitors. Offering an immersive environment where visitors act as explorers completing missions, sliding down slides, and engaging with AR and trick art to stimulate their five senses, the hall has continuously drawn groups from local daycare centers and kindergartens since opening.

On the 9th, around 70 children from a Dolsan-area daycare center visited the site. A teacher accompanying them shared, "The children thoroughly enjoyed roaming around and completing missions as if they were real Treasure Island explorers."

Building on these highly well-received exhibition contents, the organizing committee plans to further expand its performance and interactive programs.

More Than Just Exhibitions: Abundant Performances and Experiences

The expo venue offers far more than just static displays; it provides a rich array of performances and experiential programs designed to make every moment spent by visitors a delightful experience.

Starting on the 11th, every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, the 'Weekly Concert' will take place, allowing visitors to enjoy Yeosu's autumn atmosphere alongside live music. Framed against the Yeosu sea during twilight, the stage promises a unique romantic ambiance exclusive to the Island Expo.

On the opening day of the concert series (the 11th), top 3 finalists Jang Han-byeol and top 7 Jeong Yeon-ho from MBN’s "Nameless Legend" will perform, while Kim Yong-bin, Cheon Rok-dam, and Choi Jae-myeong from TV Chosun’s "Mr. Trot" will take the stage on the 12th to greet visitors. The performances will run for 60 minutes and are open to all expo ticket holders without requiring separate reservations.

Starting with the Weekly Concert, the organizing committee plans to broaden outdoor programs such as busking and cultural performances, expanding the visitor experience so guests can enjoy exhibitions and activities by day, and the Yeosu sea and live music by night.

Creating 'Your Own Island Expo' with Family, Lovers, and Friends

The organizing committee is also preparing participatory programs where visitors can become the main characters of the expo content. Various interactive events are planned to create special memories, including sending heartfelt messages to family, lovers, and friends via the media facade at the main venue's landmark theme island, romantic 'movie viewings' under the sunset, a 'visible radio' program linked with the Yeosu City Hall music broadcast, and a 'treasure hunt' event to find proprietary historical artifacts of Yeosu hidden across the exhibition halls.

In addition, online promotion will be strengthened through visitation verification events and photo-spot certification events (across 5 locations) to naturally spread on-site experiences via social media.

Attracting Large Group Tours and Expanding Weekday Visitation

Considering the peak season for autumn field trips and school excursions, active efforts are underway to attract group visitors, including children from daycare centers and students from elementary, middle, and high schools.

On the 10th, about 250 children from seven local daycare centers—Gouna, Haeoreum, Woongcheon Forest District 2, Yeosu Jukrim 1st Poyo Love, Royal, Dasom, and Cheongsol—visited the expo. Following suit, another 200 children from Yeosu private daycare centers visited on the 11th, alongside 300 members of the Korea Association of Local Public Enterprises and 19 members of the Jeonnam Association of Persons with Disabilities' Dream-Come-True Center, marking a continuous stream of group visits.

On the 19th, directors of daycare centers from the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions will make a preliminary visit to the expo venue, to be followed by additional group tours of children from around 40 daycare centers. Currently, some 40 schools and travel-related organizations planning preliminary site inspections for school trips and experiential learning are slated to visit, leading the organizing committee to anticipate a sharp increase in group tours following the Chuseok holiday.

Additionally, a 'Special Day Event' targeting public officials and affiliated organization employees from the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, as well as local businesses, organizations, and civic groups, is being promoted to boost weekday visitor turnout. Furthermore, each exhibition hall incorporates unique event elements such as island-specific local foods and traditional clothing experiences, ensuring visitors can actively participate rather than just passively observe.

"Coming for the Expo, Staying for a Yeosu Trip": Autumn Outing Extending to Sub-Venues

Once you have enjoyed the exhibitions and performances at the main venue, taking a boat to the sub-venues of Geumodo or Gaedo makes for a wonderful next step. Geumodo offers the 'Birang-gil' trekking course winding along coastal cliffs, alongside an experience tasting authentic island dishes prepared by professional chefs. On Gaedo, overnight island camping facing the open sea is operated, allowing visitors to fully absorb the Yeosu islands that cannot be completely taken in within a single day.

During the expo period, benefits such as discounted passenger ferry fares to aid island travel are provided, reducing the financial and logistical burden of planning a 1-night, 2-day itinerary that stretches from the main venue to nearby islands.

Spending the day discovering global islands and cultures at the International Exchange Island and Treasure Island, enjoying live performances and sunsets at the open-air stage in the evening, and crossing over to Geumodo or Gaedo the next day to walk along the actual islands and seas of Yeosu—the Yeosu World Island Expo itself serves as a complete travel course.

The Yeosu World Island Expo runs through November 4. As autumn deepens, the sea and islands of Yeosu will showcase yet another breathtaking facet. For those visiting Yeosu this fall, approaching the trip not merely with the mindset of "visiting an expo," but rather as "traveling through the islands and seas of Yeosu," and extending your steps beyond the venue grounds to the surrounding islands, will undoubtedly make for an unforgettable journey.

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