The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Feb. 4 designated Iksan, Jeollabuk-do (Jeonbuk State) Province, and Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, as pet-friendly cities for tourism. Shown are people strolling with their canine companions on Green Island in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
By Gil Kyuyoung
Iksan, Jeollabuk-do (Jeonbuk State) Province, and Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, have been designated pet-friendly cities for tourism this year.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Feb. 4 announced this year’s list that added the two cities.
Thus the country has six pet-friendly cities for tourism. Ulsan and Taean-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province, were named to the list in 2023 and Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province, were selected last year.
The cities will receive KRW 250 million in public funds annually for four years to improve lodging, food and beverage facilities, and public transportation and develop content tailored to traveling with pets.
Iksan is building a pet park centered around Wanggung (Royal Palace) Jewelry Theme Park under the theme “The More You Enjoy, the Happier You Get: Pet Healing Tourism City.”
The city will also run programs such as one for camping in which people can practice yoga with their pets, another to visit Hanok (traditional homes) with their animal companions and comprehensive medical services for pets.
Gyeongju is working on Petpia, a large theme park around Bomun Tourist Complex, under the theme “Gyeongju: a City with a 1,000-year History with Pets.”
The city will pick 10 pet-friendly tourist attractions to set up related amenities and use the circular trail around Bomunho Lake to offer programs for running with dogs and the Daengnidan-gil Trail Cafe Tour. The expo Gyeongju International Pet Star will also promote pet culture.
The ministry said, “We will keep actively supporting pet-friendly cities for tourism to grow into attractive cities convenient to visit with pets as well as contributing to regional tourism.”
gilkyuyoung@korea.kr
