○ The project, launched in 2019 with a budget for resident-participation projects, is geared to improve the tourist environment for all.
○ This year’s project is aimed at enhancing tourist area environments, operating provincial vehicles for tourists and improving public awareness of vulnerable tourists.
○ Gyeonggi Province plans to expand support in kind and awareness enhancement education for private tourist attractions, seeks to identify more “barrier-free” tourist destinations, and will broaden the range of information provided to tourists through demonstrational tours

Gyeonggi Province announced on March 17 that it will expand its project to achieve “Barrier-Free Gyeonggi Tourism,” which was launched last year to assist vulnerable tourists including the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, and those accompanying infants and young children.

The province has allocated a budget of approximately KRW 1.7 billion this year to make improvements in tourism infrastructure, enhance the spatial environments of tourist destinations, operate provincial vehicles for tourists (Gyeonggi Tour Nurim vehicles), and improve public awareness of vulnerable tourists.

Since 2019, the province has been promoted facility improvement at five major tourist destinations in the province including Gimpo International Sculpture Park, Jarasum Island (Gapyeong), Jangheung Tourist Area (Yangju), Yongin Agricultural Theme Park, and Yongmunsan Tourist Area (Yangpyeong). It has also operated wheelchair-accessible vehicles, providing a total of 3,500 residents with opportunities to tour the province.

With this year’s project, at least three major tourist attractions will be selected through a recruitment process open to cities and counties. Selected tourist areas will receive support for the improvement of facilities including tourist amenities (e.g. family restrooms) and accessibility facilities (e.g. wheelchair ramps and elevators).

Applications for recruitment can be made until May 20 and tourist areas wishing to participate in the project can apply through the associated city or county.

Gyeonggi Province also plans to expand support in kind compared to last year and to establish a “down-top” support system through which private tourist attractions suggest plans for improvement to the province via the recruitment process and then receive support.

In addition, Gyeonggi Province will provide two large buses that can accommodate wheelchairs to the Gyeonggi Provincial Welfare Center for the Disabled to help improve the mobility of vulnerable tourists.

Barrier-free tourist destinations recommended by Gyeonggi Province can be found in the “Barrier-Free Gyeonggi Tour Guidebook” available at major libraries in the province or via the Gyeonggi Tourism Portal (ggtour.or.kr). This year, travel brochures for each tourist area will be published and distributed with added tourist attractions.

“There are many tourist destinations that offer ample attractions and activities in Gyeonggi Province. But not all can visit these places and enjoy various tourist resources due to many barriers in terms of accessibility. We will continue our efforts to create an environment in which all tourists, including senior citizens, infants and the disabled, can travel comfortably,” said Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Director General Jang Yeong-geun.

As of 2019, vulnerable tourists accounted for 23.7% of the total population of Gyeonggi Province, with persons with disabilities comprising 4.2%, senior citizens aged 65 and over 10.6%, and children under 9 years 8.9%.