Gyeongju, South Korea Aims To Become A Global Tourism Hub Following Apec Summit

Published on September 22, 2025

The historical metropolis of Gyeongju is quickly becoming a salient tourism destination arsenic it continues to tie world visitors, pinch expectations of further maturation aft nan Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) acme scheduled from October 27 to November 1, 2025. Known arsenic nan ancient superior of nan Silla Dynasty, Gyeongju has seen an summation successful some international arrivals and local tourism activities, positioning itself to emergence arsenic a awesome tourism hub successful South Korea’s southeastern region. The APEC acme is expected to importantly boost nan city’s tourism profile, spurring continued liking from world travelers.

Gyeongju’s Growing Popularity Among International Tourists

The number of foreign tourists visiting Gyeongju has steadily increased, pinch nan city’s rich | cultural heritage and humanities landmarks attracting visitors from each complete nan world. In 2024, Gyeongju welcomed complete 1 cardinal world visitors, marking a awesome milestone for nan city. This fig is simply a testament to Gyeongju’s increasing entreaty arsenic a apical tourer destination successful South Korea.

One of nan city’s astir well-known attractions is its UNESCO World Heritage sites, specified arsenic nan Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, which showcase nan region’s ancient history. The metropolis is besides location to important taste practice sites for illustration nan Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and nan Gyeongju National Museum, each offering visitors a glimpse into South Korea’s past.

Tourists from China, Japan, North America, and Europe person each shown expanding liking successful Gyeongju, arsenic nan city’s charm lies successful its expertise to connection deep, authentic taste experiences that are little crowded than different awesome cities for illustration Seoul aliases Busan. Emily Langdon, an American postgraduate student surviving successful South Korea, shared her perspective, noting that Gyeongju provides a unsocial opportunity to acquisition Korean tradition successful a much serene environment, a sentiment echoed by visitors from each corners of nan globe.

Expanding Global Interest: A Strategic Move for Gyeongju

From January to May 2025, nan metropolis saw 716,370 world visitors, marking a 10.5% increase from nan erstwhile year. This maturation inclination is expected to continue, pinch projections indicating that nan metropolis will surpass 1.5 cardinal world tourists by nan extremity of nan year. This surge successful visitant numbers reflects nan rising world request for taste and humanities tourism experiences, which Gyeongju has excelled astatine providing.

The APEC summit is wide anticipated to thrust moreover much attraction to nan city, arsenic it will bring together world leaders and delegates. The arena is besides expected to showcase nan city’s cultural assets and tourism infrastructure, further enhancing its estimation arsenic a destination for world visitors.

Tourists person progressively been attracted to Gyeongju’s divers offerings, including its unsocial blend of accepted practice and modern attractions. The Hwangridan-gil and Hwangnam Market areas are particularly celebrated among overseas visitors, offering everything from accepted beverage houses to modern pop-up shops. In fact, visitors from China still dress up nan largest group of world tourists, pinch different markets from Europe, North America, and Australia showing notable growth.

Leveraging APEC to Position Gyeongju arsenic a Tourism Hub

Local businesses are optimistic astir nan economical imaginable of nan APEC summit, which is expected to importantly boost tourism-related industries successful Gyeongju. Merchants for illustration Lee Gi-seong, who runs a café successful Hwangridan-gil, are already seeing a increasing number of international customers, indicating a broader inclination of Gyeongju emerging arsenic a go-to spot for travelers from various nations. Lee expressed dream that nan acme would thief found nan metropolis arsenic an world tourism destination agelong aft nan arena concludes.

The city’s tourism initiatives besides target nan MZ generation (Millennials and Gen Z), who are drawn to much experiential and immersive forms of travel. Gyeongju has responded by offering traditional civilization experiences, specified arsenic wearing hanbok (traditional Korean attire), while besides hosting modern pop-up stores and events that cater to younger tourists. Gyeongju World, an amusement parkland known for its celebrated roller coasters, has gained a beardown pursuing among world visitors, further diversifying nan city’s tourer base.

Strengthening Gyeongju’s Cultural and Arts Infrastructure

Gyeongju’s cultural and arts infrastructure is different cardinal facet successful its tourism development. The metropolis boasts 13 taste facilities, which is nan highest number of specified venues successful North Gyeongsang Province. These accommodation see museums, creation galleries, and capacity venues, which cater to some section and world audiences. The National Gyeongju Museum precocious reached a important milestone by surpassing 1 cardinal cumulative visitors earlier successful nan year, reflecting nan city’s expanding taste influence.

The depository will besides play a domiciled during nan APEC summit, hosting typical exhibitions and performances to invited overseas guests. One of nan cardinal highlights will beryllium an accumulation showcasing nan Silla golden crown, a awesome of nan city’s royal past and its position arsenic an ancient capital.

APEC’s Long-Term Impact connected Gyeongju’s Tourism Strategy

Gyeongju is afloat committed to reestablishing itself arsenic a “global tourer city” pursuing nan APEC summit. The hosting of specified a prestigious arena will supply a important promotional boost, elevating nan city’s floor plan connected nan world stage. Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young has expressed nan city’s determination to leverage nan acme to beforehand its taste practice and modern tourism offerings to nan world market. He besides emphasized that nan accomplishment of 1 cardinal overseas visitors represents a captious measurement successful showcasing nan city’s tourism competitiveness.

The acquisition of different cities, specified arsenic Los Cabos, Mexico, which transformed from a mini edifice municipality to an world tourism destination pursuing nan 2002 APEC summit, offers a exemplary for Gyeongju. Similarly, Busan, which hosted nan APEC acme successful 2005, saw its overseas tourism numbers summation substantially, providing further impervious of nan semipermanent benefits of specified high-profile events.

Looking Ahead: Gyeongju’s Vision for nan Future

Looking forward, Gyeongju is poised to go 1 of nan premier tourism destinations successful South Korea. The city’s tourism strategy, which focuses connected its taste heritage, modern attractions, and divers offerings, is designed to pull a wide scope of world visitors. By capitalizing connected nan momentum generated by nan APEC summit, Gyeongju is positioning itself to not only summation its overseas tourism numbers but besides create a much diversified and resilient tourism economy.

The occurrence of nan APEC acme will apt propel Gyeongju into a caller era of tourism, wherever it becomes a must-visit destination for travelers seeking some authentic taste experiences and modern, high-quality amenities. With continued finance successful infrastructure, taste attractions, and tourism services, Gyeongju’s early arsenic a global tourism hub is looking bright.