개항장이 품은 오랜 가치를 찾다
Finding Old Values Harbored by the Open Port
- Open Port, a Representative Tourist Attraction in Incheon
A wind of change is blowing through the open port, which has been favored as a representative tourist attraction in Incheon, with the recent introduction of smart businesses and the emergence of the Jemulpo Renaissance Project. What are the tourism projects promoted to maximize the charms of the open port?
Interviewee. 소연수 | 인천관광공사 관광마케팅실장
Interviewee: Soh Yeon-soo | Tourism Marketing Director, Incheon Tourism Organization
#1 개항의 역사를 품은 관광지, ‘개항장’
#1 'Open Port', a Tourist Attraction with the History of Port Opening
Q. Open port left various historical and cultural products.
What is the value of historical space as a tourist destination?
A. The historical space shows us the cultural characteristics, lifestyles, and industries of the time. Tourists can directly experience the history on the spot, better understand the region, and have an indirect experience feeling as if they went back to that time in history. In particular, the open port is a place that many students visit through family and school trips because it carries a great significance for education, learning about history through various cultural heritages of the open port. This year, Incheon Tourism Organization plans to attract more field studies and school excursions in line with the easing of the response to COVID-19. We also plan to earnestly cooperate with the Jung-gu Office, which includes the opening port.
#2 빛의 아름다움을 품은 ‘개항장 문화재 야행’
#2 'Cultural Heritage Night Tour in the Open Port,' Embracing the Beauty of Light
Q. The 'Cultural Heritage Night Tour' to enjoy a historical walk with lights that embroider the night is receiving a dynamic response. We wonder what the effect of the festival is.
A. 'Incheon Open Port Cultural Heritage Night Tour' is Incheon's representative festival, visited by around 100,000 tourists. It will be held for the eighth time this year. The cultural heritage night tour was initially the Cultural Heritage Administration's project. The prime purpose is to provide a chance to enjoy culture by opening various tangible and intangible heritages to citizens. The festival is anticipated by tourists, merchants, and residents of the open port. It is becoming a festival enjoyed by tourists and local residents, and merchants directly promoting snacks, souvenirs, and experiences during the festival.
This year, it will be held in August and October. In particular, as Incheon was selected as Korea's first 'Night Tourism City' at the end of last year, this year's night tour will be expanded to include the opening of media art and cultural heritages at night and coupon events. We ask for your interest and participation in the 'Open Port Cultural Heritage Night Tour,' filled with things to see and enjoy.
#3 ‘스마트 관광도시’를 만든 힘 Ⅰ
#3 Strength that Built 'Smart Tourism City' Ⅰ
Q. Incheon is the first 'Smart Tourism City,' and its mobile app 'Incheon Easy' is drawing a lot of attention. Could you please explain this?
A. 'Incheon Easy' is a tourism platform created when the open port area was selected as the first target for the 'Smart Tourism City Development Project' by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2020. With nine private consortium companies, we developed all services necessary for tourism, such as travel recommendation, payment, and mobility, in a single app. At the time, 'independent travel (personalized travel)' drew attention due to COVID-19, and its value was recognized even further. 'Incheon Easy' introduces various local tourism information through collaboration with local creators. In particular, the Theme Path Service recommends a path that suits the taste of the tourist. We intend to continuously discover theme courses within the open port and hold on-site events in connection with them to create 'connected' content that allows tourists to watch content and visit and enjoy the open port.
#4 ‘스마트 관광도시’를 만든 힘 Ⅱ
#4 Strength that Built 'Smart Tourism City' Ⅱ
Q.' Incheon Easy' provides a vivid tour of the open port through AR/VR technology.
We wonder what value of the open port you paid attention to.
A. If you press the 'Time Travel' menu of the Incheon Easy app, you can have a vivid historical experience of a lost past at the open port using AR/VR technology. In 'AR Ghost Docent Service,' historical figures appear in AR and explain places. It is the most popular content among tourists.
Open Port is where various cultures were introduced through Incheon Port in 1883. It has multiple storytelling elements that boast being Korea's first. In the past, cultural commentators explained the significance of a place directly. Today, 'Incheon Easy' lets you enjoy the open port more charmingly because Sir. Kim Gu will appear before you and explain the history when you touch the mobile phone.
#5 특색 있는 골목 여행
#5 Distinct Alley Tour
Q. We are curious about the typical tourism content of the opening port this year.
A. I think the symbol of the open port is the 'alley.' The open port with alleys connected to other paths has various workshops, charming cafes, and long-established restaurants. I think the role of the Incheon Tourism Organization is to discover the hidden charms of the alleys and attract people to them. This year, we plan to earnestly publicize the magic of various alley content through the 'Incheon Easy' travel app, especially to the MZ generation.
In addition, I want to introduce the 'Open Port Easy' tour as representative content. It allows you to tour the Open Port area with commentary on a unique electric vehicle. It used to be operated only during the day, but we will also run it at night this year. Please come and enjoy it when you come to the open port.
#6 코로나19 이후, 인천관광공사의 청사진
#6 Incheon Tourism Organization's Blueprint after COVID-19
Q. It is expected that tourism in Incheon will also revive gradually.
Could you tell us about Incheon Tourism Organization's ' Vision for Tourism Marketing'?
A. This year, we expected that the tourism demand would rise noticeably following the calming down of the endemic. To facilitate the revitalization of the local economy through tourism, Incheon Tourism Organization will ① discover and foster Incheon's unique tourism content, ② engage in strategic promotion and marketing in response to the changed domestic and international tourism markets, ③ improve accommodation conditions to create a comfortable and convenient tourism environment, and ④ realize sustainable Incheon tourism based on social responsibility. We plan to promote these four as core strategic projects.
Following the mitigation of COVID-19, traveling has emerged as a trend. By following the latest travel trends, we will concentrate on activating the 'Ganghwa Stay' program and workcation, fostering 'Incheon Ecotourism Village,' and attracting school trips for domestic marketing. In addition, as the 'Night Tour Specialized City,' we plan to develop various content, including drone shows, performances, and festivals incorporating media art and emphasizing Incheon's characteristic of being 'Korea's First.' The main targets of these plans are Songdo Central Park, Wolmido Island, and the Open Port area. You will be able to feel many changes from this year.
