The Ministry of Environment has announced that it has prepared various summer eco-tourism programs across 27 eco-tourism areas nationwide to coincide with the peak holiday season.
Since 2013, the ministry has designated 40 areas nationwide as eco-tourism regions through the ‘Eco-tourism Area Designation System.’ Eco-tourism areas are places with high value in natural environment conservation and where one can experience and learn about the importance of ecosystem protection.
This summer program has been organized using regional ecological resources such as valleys, rivers, wetlands, tidal flats, and ecological forests. Programs are operated in a total of 27 areas, and in 11 locations including Inje, Pyeongchang, Okcheon, Gochang, Suncheon, Mungyeong, Changnyeong, Jeju, Gwangju, Hadong, and Seogwipo, local currencies can be used.
In Inje County, Gangwon Province, Naetgang Village and Sinwol-ri Dalteut Village offer trekking in Baekdamsan Morninggari Valley and traditional iron pot rice cooking experiences. Junam Reservoir in Changwon, Gyeongnam operates migratory bird watching and ecological education water gun play.
At the mudflats in Seocheon, participants can observe the habitat of the black-faced spoonbill and experience a biological protection mission game. Seogwipo’s Healing Hogun Village offers forest healing tours and lunch box experiences. Gochang’s Ungok Ramsar Wetland offers wetland observation programs, and in the Suncheonman Wetland, mud flat experiences are available.
The Ministry of Environment plans to post detailed information about this program on its ‘Korea’s Ecotourism Story’ website on July 21. Participants can also enter a lottery event offering mobile coupons and local specialties.
Kim Tae-oh, Director of the Natural Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, said, “Ecotourism is sustainable tourism that helps preserve nature while benefiting local residents,” and encouraged enjoying a delightful summer in eco-tourism areas where various experiences are possible.