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Busan Dong-gu Cruise Tourism Special Zone Designated, Paving the Way Toward an Era of 6 Million International Visitors

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced today (July 8) the official designation of the Busan Dong-gu Cruise Tourism Special Zone, the nation's first tourism special zone with cruise tourism as its primary theme, as part of its strategy to advance toward an era of 6 million international visitors under the vision of "Maritime Capital Busan."

Following Haeundae (1994) and Yongdusan–Jagalchi (2008), this marks Busan's third tourism special zone and the first to be designated in 18 years. After receiving the application from Dong-gu, Busan Metropolitan City confirmed that all legal requirements had been satisfied through surveys and analyses conducted by the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute. Following consultations with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant agencies, the area was officially designated as a global tourism hub integrating the growth potential of the marine cruise industry with the historical and cultural assets of Busan's original downtown.

The designated area covers approximately 1.48 square kilometers, encompassing major maritime and land gateways and the historic downtown's cultural heritage. It extends from Busan Port International Passenger Terminal to Busan Station, Chinatown, Choryang Traditional Market, Choryang Ibagu-gil, and the area surrounding O Choryang, a nationally registered cultural heritage site featuring a Japanese-style house.

As a designated tourism special zone, the area will become eligible for a wide range of support measures and regulatory exemptions, including loans and subsidies from the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund, national government-funded projects, relaxed outdoor advertising regulations, use of publicly accessible open spaces, district unit planning designation, exemptions from the housing price ceiling system, and eased requirements for casino licensing.

The designation is expected to serve as a major turning point in transforming Dong-gu's long-standing image as a depopulating original downtown district while creating new growth momentum through the tourism industry.

Based on the various support measures and regulatory incentives associated with tourism special zone designation, the local economy is projected to grow by approximately 5.5 percent. Combined with the commercial revitalization expected from the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the designation is also anticipated to generate positive synergies by stimulating consumer spending, creating jobs, and revitalizing the local economy in the original downtown.

In addition, the designation is expected to enhance the utilization of facilities planned for the Busan North Port landmark site, accelerate the North Port redevelopment project, and further promote tourism throughout the original downtown area.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, "This tourism special zone designation will play an important role in helping Busan advance toward an era of 6 million international visitors as the Maritime Capital by attracting cruise tourists arriving by sea, alongside those traveling by land and air. Building on this momentum, we will further enhance Busan's world-class tourism assets while creating diverse new global attractions, making Busan a world-class tourism city where both residents and visitors from around the world can enjoy exceptional experiences."