As host of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the city of Gyeongju on the south-eastern coast of South Korea is anticipating a big increase in visitor numbers this year.
According to the Gyeongsangbuk-do Research Institute, the city expects an influx of around 72,885 domestic tourists and 41,032 international visitors during the summit period. These visitors are expected to generate around 241.8 billion won (US$178 million), and create more than 4,500 new jobs in tourism-related sectors.
In fact, this year has been designated as the Visit Gyeongbuk Year, the region where Gyeongju – once the seat of the Silla Kingdom – is located.
“The APEC Summit is a catalyst for Gyeongju’s inbound tourism – it brings global visibility, attracts thousands of visitors, and drives investment in infrastructure and cultural programming. By hosting world leaders and showcasing our UNESCO World Heritage sites, Gyeongju strengthens its position on the world stage as a premier destination for history, culture, and MICE,” said Deokhyun Jo, executive director at Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As delegates are more familiar with Seoul and Busan, Jo opined that the APEC Summit positions Gyeongju as a viable alternative to these cities for hosting international conferences and summits.
“Hosting a high-profile event like the APEC Summit significantly enhances Gyeongju’s standing in the global MICE industry. It showcases the city’s ability to manage world-class events with seamless logistics, upgraded infrastructure, and rich cultural offerings.
“The successful delivery of APEC proves that major events can thrive outside of Korea’s largest cities, opening the door for Gyeongju to attract more large-scale governmental, academic, and corporate events in the future,” he added.
Ahead of the Summit, Gyeongju’s main venue, the Hwabaek International Convention Center, is undergoing renovations. Other upgrades include a new banquet hall at the Gyeongju National Museum for official APEC events.
Upgrades to infrastructure around the city are also underway, including improving roads, signage, and public spaces, while restaurants are updating their Google profiles to help visitors find accurate information more easily, shared Jo.
The Bomun Tourist Complex – an area with a manmade lake, hotels, leisure and recreational facilities – is also being revitalised with new landscape features, night lighting, and digital media facades to improve the overall visitor experience.
