문화체육관광부(문체부)가 지방 공항과 인근 관광도시를 잇는 ‘지방공항 중심 5대 관광권’을 확정했다고 10일 밝혔다. 입국부터 이동·체류·체험까지 이어지는 지역 관광 생태계를 조성해 방한객의 동선을 지역으로 넓히는 것이 핵심이다.
Five tourism zones in the provinces with international airports have been designated to connect nearby cities for travel under the goal of creating a regional tourism ecosystem spanning the entire visitor journey from arrival and transportation to lodging and experiences.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Sept. 10 announced this plan to stimulate visits by foreign tourists to regions outside of the Seoul metropolitan region.
김해공항 관광권은 ‘부산~경주~울산~거제·통영’, 대구공항 관광권은 ‘대구~경주~안동’으로 구성됐다. 두 권역은 경주를 연결고리로 통합 육성한다.
The Gimhae International Airport zone comprises Busan; Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province; Ulsan; and Geoje and Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. That of Daegu International Airport connects Daegu, Gyeongju and Andong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.
Both areas will be developed as an integrated region with Gyeongju as the connecting hub.
청주공항 관광권은 ‘청주~공주·부여~익산·전주’로 백제 역사와 전통문화를 잇는다.
The zone of Cheongju International Airport links Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province; Gongju and Buyeo-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province; and Iksan and Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, highlighting the history and traditional culture of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-A.D. 660).
양양공항 관광권은 ‘양양~강릉~속초’를 잇고 설악산·서핑, K-콘텐츠 촬영지·동계올림픽 유산, 동해안 해양관광을 연계한다.
That of Yangyang International Airport spans Yangyang-gun County, Gangneung and Sokcho, Gangwon-do Province, combining attractions such as Seoraksan Mountain and surfing at Korean content filming locations, heritage from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and marine tourism along the eastern coast.
무안공항 관광권은 ‘무안·목포~(옛)광주시~여수시’를 항공·철도·해상 교통으로 잇는 ‘트라이포트'(Tri-port) 형태다. 남도 미식과 서해안 관광, 문화·예술, 섬·레저를 연계해 체류형 관광권으로 육성한다.
The Muan International Airport zone, under the form of a “tri-port,” connects Muan-gun County, Mokpo and Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, with the former city of Gwangju by air, rail and sea. The plan is to develop the region into an extended stay destination through the integration of southern Hansik (traditional cuisine) with west coast tourism, culture and arts, and island and leisure activities.
문체부는 2027년 정부 예산안 기준 935억 원을 투입해 해외 홍보, 국제선·크루즈 유치, 교통·결제 편의 개선, 특화 콘텐츠 육성을 추진할 계획이다.
Based on the central government’s 2027 budget proposal, the ministry will invest KRW 93.5 billion in overseas promotion, attract international flights and cruise ships, raise transportation and payment convenience, and develop specialized tourism content.
관광권 내 도시 간 대중교통을 개선하고 교통 결제와 관광지 할인을 결합한 ‘한국관광 통합패스’도 도입한다.
Inter-city public transportation within each zone will also be improved, while an integrated tourism pass combining mass transit payments with discounts at travel attractions will be introduced.
최휘영 문체부 장관은 “방한객의 입장에서 지역으로 발길을 돌릴 수 있도록 지방 공항 중심으로 방한 관광 ‘골든 루트’가 필요하다”라며 “관광권 육성으로 2029년 입국 3000만 명, 지방 입국객 500만 명 시대를 열 것”이라고 밝혔다.
“From the perspective of visitors, we need golden routes for inbound tourism centered on regional airports to encourage them to explore the provinces,” Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young said. “Through the development of tourism clusters, we will usher in by 2029 an era of 30 million international arrivals overall and five million in regional areas.”
테레시아 마가렛 기자 margareth@korea.kr
By Margareth Theresia, margareth@korea.kr
