Gochang County in South Korea has brought several of its tourism accommodation facilities under direct public management as part of a broader effort to strengthen stay-based tourism ahead of the peak summer travel season.
According to the county, the transition took effect before the start of the July-August vacation period, with officials announcing on July 3 that private consignment management of the Gochang Eupseong Hanok Village accommodation had ended. The county now directly operates four key lodging facilities: Gochang Eupseong Hanok Village, Gochang Mudflat Auto Camping Glamping Site, Ungok Wetland Youth Hostel, and Seonunsan Youth Hostel.
The move is accompanied by an open reservation system designed to simplify the booking process and make the accommodations more accessible to both domestic and visiting travelers. County officials also said a range of promotions and seasonal events will be offered throughout the summer.
The Gochang Eupseong Hanok Village provides accommodations in traditional Korean hanok houses located near the historic fortress walls of Gochang Eupseong. The property includes 11 guest rooms and caters to families, groups, and visitors participating in cultural experience programs. The destination has also attracted public attention after being visited by Korean celebrities including actor Gong Yoo, singer Rain, and broadcaster Noh Hongchul.
At the Gochang Mudflat Auto Camping Glamping Site, the county has also assumed direct management of the property’s nine glamping units, according to the Asia Business Daily.
During the peak vacation months of July and August, the site will host the “Mudflat SEA-nema” marine healing program every Saturday. Scheduled to run 12 times during the season, the program combines outdoor movie screenings with hands-on mudflat activities intended to showcase the area’s coastal environment.
The Ungok Wetland Youth Hostel is located within the Ungok Wetland, a Ramsar-designated wetland recognized for its ecological significance. The accommodation provides visitors with access to the area’s natural landscape, including wetlands and forest ecosystems.
Meanwhile, the Seonunsan Youth Hostel is situated within the Seonunsan Tourist Complex, providing convenient access to nearby attractions including Seonunsa Temple and the surrounding provincial park. County officials said inquiries about reservations typically increase during the summer vacation season due to the area’s popularity with travelers.
For operators and tourism professionals, Gochang County’s decision to bring multiple accommodations under direct public management highlights one approach local governments are using to coordinate lodging, visitor experiences, and destination marketing.
By combining accommodations with scheduled programming, simplified reservation systems, and nearby attractions, destinations may be able to encourage longer visitor stays and increase local spending. The model also illustrates how public agencies can integrate camping, glamping, traditional lodging, and youth accommodations into a broader tourism strategy aimed at supporting regional economic activity.
A Gochang County official stated, “We will continue to develop various tourism content to expand stay-based tourism, increase the resident population, and stimulate local consumption, ultimately leading to revitalization of the regional economy.”