With an investment of 1 trillion won to create a Korean-style Cancun, Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, and Pohang, Gyeongbuk, will transform into a complex marine leisure tourism city!


The Beginning of the Marine Tourism Renaissance: Tongyeong and Pohang as Protagonists

Hanwha Tongyeong Marine Leisure Tourism Complex Project

Tongyeong in Gyeongsangnam-do and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do have been finally selected in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' 'Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City' competition, establishing themselves as the first beneficiaries of the 'Korean Cancun' project. This project is a large-scale national project being promoted through various funds, including more than 1 trillion won in national, local, and private investments, aiming to create a stay-type marine city where marine leisure, tourism, culture, and accommodation functions are integrated.

Both cities are expected to use their unique coastal resources to develop a tourism and leisure ecosystem. Having successfully succeeded in the first selection, surpassing competing cities like Busan, there are great reasons why they are gaining attention. In particular, Tongyeong boasts a wonderful natural environment where Hallyeo Waterway and Dadohae harmoniously coexist, while Pohang has been highly praised for its unique urban marine tourism belt close to both the city and beach. With this background, the development potential of both cities is even more exciting.







Tongyeong: Building a Complex Cluster Centered on Hanwha Resort and Yacht Tourism

Gyeongnam Tongyeong Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City Selected by the Ministry

In Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, a large-scale investment of about 1.14 trillion won is expected to be made. This funding consists of 940 billion won in private investment, 100 billion won in national funds, and 100 billion won in local funds, with the main development areas set in Dosan-myeon and Donam-dong.

In particular, in the marine accommodation zone of Suwol-ri, Dosan-myeon, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts plans to invest 800 billion won to complete a resort with 1,070 rooms by 2037 in phases. In addition, Gyeongnam Province plans to design and promote a marine complex terminal integrating passenger ships and sea taxis, an exhibition hall called 'The Island 570' that digitally displays Tongyeong's 570 islands, and a water media art performance venue themed on the music of Yun Isang.

Gyeongnam Tongyeong

In the marine leisure area of Donam Tourist Area, Kumho Resort is expected to newly construct a resort with 228 rooms in addition to the existing 272 rooms. Along with this, financial projects for marine leisure complex infrastructure will be carried out, including a yacht club center, marine harbour pull, and land yacht docking facilities.

Furthermore, marine tourism transport services such as island hopping tours using yachts, sea taxis, and amphibious buses are also planned to be expanded. Through this, the local marine leisure industry is expected to be revitalized.






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Pohang: A Coastal Marine Tourism Hub Centered on Yeongilman Tourism Special Zone

Gyeongbuk Pohang No.1 Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City Selected by the Ministry

A large-scale project with a total amount of 1.3523 trillion won is about to start in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. This project will inject 100 billion won from national funds and 100 billion won from local funds, with the remaining 1.1523 trillion won being raised through private capital.

Pohang is expected to focus on the concentrated development of marine leisure and cultural facilities centered around the Yeongilman Tourism Special Zone. Major public projects include the Hwanho Park marine art center, global marine landscape specialization, Songdo complex cultural tourism facility, and the landmarking of Pohang Canal and Songdo Sol Forest. Additionally, in the private sector, plans for a Ferris wheel, luxury hotels, marine leisure support centers, and the complex development of the old Pohang Station are progressing.

This project is expected to bring significant changes to Pohang's economy and tourism industry. As various infrastructures and facilities are established, it will provide new experiences for both local residents and visitors.

Gyeongbuk Pohang Yeongilman


In the future, private investment of 1 trillion won is planned to maximize the synergy effects of tourism resources linked with golf courses and resorts.
In addition, a transformation into a marine tourism city harmonizing urban beaches and ports is anticipated.




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Attention to Connected Transportation Networks and Economic Ripple Effects

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City Project

Both cities have favorable conditions for business and transportation connectivity. Tongyeong has a great potential to grow into an international tourism hub through connections with the Southern Inland Railway, Gadeokdo New Airport, and the Southern Coast Marine National Road. In contrast, Pohang is positioned as a transportation hub, with KTX, airports, and international passenger ports nearby.

Such developments are expected to have significant economic ripple effects. In Tongyeong, it is estimated that 2.54 million tourists will visit annually, with consumer spending reaching about 324.3 billion won, leading to the creation of approximately 2,454 jobs. Similarly, Pohang is also expected to generate a production-induced effect of 270 billion won, creating around 16,000 jobs and adding value of about 110 billion won.







Conclusion: A Leap as Two Engines of Marine Tourism Industry for the Southern and Eastern Coasts

Pohang Yeongildae Yacht Competition

This selection is expected to serve as an important turning point for not only establishing marine tourism infrastructure but also for creating a sustainable marine leisure industry ecosystem and revitalizing the local economy.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to select one additional local government through another competition in the second half of the year, but given the uncertainty of the budget, the significance of this first selection can be said to be even greater.

Under the national vision of 'Korean Cancun', Tongyeong and Pohang can expect a future as leading marine complex tourism cities representing Korea.

Dongpirang Mural Village: 6-18 Dongpirang 1-gil, Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do





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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is the background of Gyeongnam Tongyeong and Gyeongbuk Pohang being selected as 'Complex Marine Leisure Tourism Cities'?
Tongyeong and Pohang were selected as 'Complex Marine Leisure Tourism Cities' by developing their respective unique coastal resources to advance tourism and leisure ecosystems.

Tongyeong in Gyeongsangnam-do boasts excellent natural scenery with Hallyeo Waterway and Dadohae, while Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do has a unique marine tourism belt adjacent to the urban and coastal area. With these regional characteristics taken into account, the plan to create a stay-type marine city integrating marine leisure, tourism, culture, and accommodation functions was spotlighted and finally selected in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries competition. With their first selection surpassing competing cities like Busan, there are high expectations for the development potential of the marine tourism industry in both cities.

Q. What projects are included in the marine leisure tourism city development plan of Tongyeong?
Tongyeong's plans include large-scale investment from Hanwha Resort, a marine complex terminal, digital island exhibition hall, and a water media art performance venue.

In Tongyeong, the government plans an investment of about 1.14 trillion won, where Hanwha Hotels & Resorts will invest 800 billion won to complete a resort with 1,070 rooms by 2037 in the marine accommodation zone of Suwol-ri, Dosan-myeon. In addition, a marine complex terminal integrating passenger ferries and sea taxis, a digital exhibition hall called 'The Island 570' that showcases 570 islands, and a water media art performance venue themed on the music of Yun Isang will also be promoted, aiming to establish a complex cluster where marine tourism and culture intersect.

Q. What marine tourism and leisure development projects are underway in Pohang?
Pohang is advancing large-scale projects centered around the Yeongilman Tourism Special Zone, such as marine leisure facilities, cultural tourist sites, luxury hotels, and a Ferris wheel.

Pohang in Gyeongbuk is currently promoting the concentrated development of marine leisure and cultural facilities with a total project size of 1.3523 trillion won centered around the Yeongilman Tourism Special Zone. Major public projects include a marine arts hub at Hwanho Park, global marine landscape specialization, Songdo complex cultural tourism facilities, and landmarking of the Pohang Canal. In the private sector, plans for a Ferris wheel, luxury hotels, marine leisure support centers, and the complex development of the old Pohang station are underway. This expansion of marine tourism infrastructure is expected to invigorate the local economy.

Q. How are the transportation connectivity and economic ripple effects of Tongyeong and Pohang expected to unfold?
Tongyeong is connected by rail and airports, while Pohang connects through KTX and an international passenger harbor, expecting significant economic effects regarding employment and consumer spending.

Tongyeong is likely to develop into an international tourism hub through connections to the Southern Inland Railway, Gadeokdo New Airport, and the Southern Coastal Marine National Road. In contrast, Pohang will serve as a transportation hub, with KTX, airports, and international passenger ports in close proximity. The economic effects are estimated to include 2.54 million tourists visiting Tongyeong annually, with consumer spending reaching approximately 324.3 billion won and the creation of 2,454 jobs. Pohang is projected to generate 270 billion won in production effects and create about 16,000 jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy with added value projected to reach 110 billion won.

Q. What is the future outlook and significance of the 'Korean Cancun' project?
This project is expected to play a pivotal role in establishing a sustainable industry ecosystem beyond marine tourism infrastructure and revitalizing the local economy.

The 'Korean Cancun' project aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for the marine leisure industry beyond simple infrastructure building. With this first selection, Tongyeong and Pohang have laid the groundwork to grow as leading marine complex tourism cities representing Korea, and an additional competition is planned for the second half of the year. Despite budget uncertainties, this project is expected to serve as a double engine for the marine tourism industry along the Southern and Eastern Coasts, promising significant developments for both cities and the regional economy.


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