Busan is good

2026 International Busan Design Award (IBDA)

2026 International Busan Design Award (IBDA)○ Award Name: 2026 International Busan Design Award○ Organizers: Busan Metropolitan City○ Hosts: Design Council Busan○ Sponsors: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, Busan Tourism Organization, Busan Global City Foundation, Kookje Co., Ltd., KNN, Busan MBC, Busan Federation of Designers, SEDIA, Busan Bank, Design House○ Exhibition Period: 5. 21 (Thu), 2026 ~ 5. 24 (Sun), 2026○ Exhibition Location: BEXCO Exhibition CenterEntry MethodsOnline Submission: Jan. 2(Fri)- Apr. 3(Fri), 20262026 ibda homepage (https://adp.dcb.or.kr/en/)Offline Submission: Apr. 18(Sat)-Apr. 22(Wed), 2026Final Results Announcement: May 4(Mon), 2026Design Council Busan ibda Secretariat(the 3rd floor Seminar F, 57 centum dong-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea 48059)EnquiriesDesign Council Busan Tel : 051)790-1092For more information, please refer to the award guidelines on the official award’s website (https://adp.dcb.or.kr/en/ibda/hosting-guidelines)※ Please kindly note that the date and time described are in Korean Standard Time(KST).

2025 Citizen-Voted Best City Policies: A Year of Leaps Toward “Busan, Your Home for Today and Beyond”

2025 Citizen-Voted Best City Policies: A Year of Leaps Toward “Busan, Your Home for Today and Beyond”□ Busan Metropolitan City has shared this year’s most notable contributions to urban development and quality of life.○ The Top 12 were identified based on the results of the 2025 Citizen-Voted Outstanding Policies survey, across two fields: ▲ Global Hub and ▲ Citizen Happiness.○ Opinions were gathered from 2,263 participants, including citizens, civil servants, and journalists, between December 10 and 16, 2025.What Busan Delivered in 2025Global HubA milestone chapter for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in BusanHolistic assistance for housing, family life, and leisure✔ Approximately 2,000 officials and their families became new residents under five-area customized settlement support.*A dedicated relocation task force; a comprehensive package covering 41 items in five areasA transportation revolution originating in Busan and a national strategic project✔ Busan Express Transit (BuTX) passed a private investment feasibility assessment.* Planning (2021–2022), proposal submission (September 2023), feasibility assessment initiation (November 2023), final approval (October 2025)Everyday sports as a source of urban vitalityThe advancement of ‘Sports-for-All Paradise City 2.0’✔ The Busan Seven Bridges Tour was successfully launched as the world’s largest urban marine bridge cycling festival.*Busan-tailored events (e.g., Nakdong River Slow Triathlon Festa in Busan); an unprecedented central government funding for sports infrastructure (45.1 billion won)Busan’s unique appeal unleashed across gastronomy, noctourism, festivals, medical tourism, MICE, and cruises✔ Three million inbound travelers arrived in Busan for the first time, reaching a historic moment as a leading tourism destination.* Positive domestic and international media coverage; progress into a leading tourism destination; strengthened competitiveness in MICE, medical care, and

What do international tourists do in Busan?

source: visit busanAccording to an analysis by the Busan Tourism Organization, international tourists visiting Busan in 2024 stayed an average of 6.2 days and spent $ 828 per person on culinary experiences and shopping. To gain deeper insights into travel trends and preferences, the BTO surveyed 1,060 international visitors who traveled to Busan in 2024. The result revealed that the average stay duration was 6.2 days, a significant increase from 4.4 days in 2023. Regarding accommodation, 79% of tourists preferred hotels, followed by short-term rentals or shared accommodation (23%) and guesthouses or hostels (11%). Notably, overall travel satisfaction was 99.3%, with approximately 85% of respondents indicating a willingness to return to Busan. Alongside extended stays, international tourist spending per person reached USD 828.4, an increase of USD 260.7 from the previous year. Transportation accounted for the largest portion of expenditures, followed by accommodation and shopping. The survey also highlighted that Busan is preferred by those travelling in groups; on average, visitors travelled with 2.8 companions, 62% of whom were accompanied by friends or a partner. Regarding travel style, 48.1% of respondents opted for independent travel, slightly exceeding the 47.7% who chose semi-package deals that bundled flights and hotels. Only 4.2% of travelers participated in comprehensive tour programs. While in Busan, 46% of travelers reported that exploring local food establishments was their most satisfying activity. Other popular activities included experiencing traditional culture, such as temple stays (9%), and appreciating natural landscape (8%). Gwangalli Beach emerged as the top tourist destination, visited by 58.5% of international travelers, followed by BIFF Square and Gukje Market in Jung-gu District, Gamcheon Culture Village in Saha-gu District, and Haeundae Beach.<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>analysis: 분석 average: 평균 reveal: 드러내다 satisfaction: 만족 expenditure: 지출 comprehensive: 포괄적인 Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy

Airport shuttle services to be more efficient and cost-effective

source: getty imageThe Gimhae Airport Limousine Bus has reorganized its routes and schedules to provide enhanced, data-driven services tailored to passenger demand. Based on operational data from the past five months, this reorganization reflects a thoughtful analysis aimed at improving both passenger convenience and operational efficiency.There are two main routes depending on the direction of travel. Option 1 (Haeundae/Gijang direction) has added two new stops to improve accessibility to the city’s eastern regions. Passengers heading to the airport can now board at Osiria Theme Park, while those traveling to Gijang can board at the Hanwha Matier stop. Additionally, the location of some stops near Haeundae Beach will be slightly adjusted. To ensure clarity for passengers, the stop will now use the same name for both directions, changed to “Haeundae Beach” from “Haeundae Beach Entrance.”Notably, Option 1 will now be split into two distinct services: the Jangsan and Gijang routes. To meet operational demand, the Jangsan route service has been expanded, while the number of trips on the Gijang route has been reduced. This adjustment allows buses departing from Jangsan to run at 20- to 60-minute intervals, a significant improvement over the previous 60-minute gap. Furthermore, additional buses will be deployed during peak hours to alleviate overcrowding. Option 2 (Seomyeon/Bujeon direction) will maintain its current routes and stops but now offers a reduced adult fare of 6,000 won – a 1,500 won decrease from last year. These buses will operate every 60 to 80 minutes. <Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>passenger: 승객 demand: 요구 reorganization: 개편 thoughtful: 사려깊은 analysis: 분석 efficiency: 효율성 accessibility: 접근성 direction: 방향Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy