Cheonan, South Korea – The South Chungcheong Provincial Council has officially launched a research initiative focused on leveraging the region's diverse culinary offerings to revitalize tourism. The research group, titled "Study Group on Tourism Promotion Utilizing Food Content in South Chungcheong" and led by Provincial Assemblywoman Lee Hyun-sook, convened its inaugural meeting on April 24th at the Town Hall Auditorium in Cheonan Dongnam-gu. This endeavor aligns with the province's designation of 2025-2026 as the "Visit South Chungcheong Year," aiming to identify effective strategies for transforming local food resources into compelling tourist attractions and ultimately enhancing the region's brand value.

The study group, spearheaded by Lee Hyun-sook (Proportional Representative, People Power Party), comprises a total of twelve members, including Provincial Assembly members Park Jeong-soo (Cheonan Constituency 9, People Power Party) and Shin Han-cheol (Cheonan Constituency 2, People Power Party), as well as external experts from the tourism and culinary sectors.

The inaugural meeting featured a presentation by Professor Lee Kwang-ok from the Department of Tourism at Baekseok University. Professor Lee's presentation, titled "Strategies for Promoting South Chungcheong Tourism by Discovering Representative Food Content," provided a foundational framework for the subsequent discussions. Attendees engaged in a lively exchange of ideas, building upon Professor Lee's insights.

The discussions centered on identifying unique regional food resources within South Chungcheong and reimagining them as appealing tourism content capable of attracting both domestic and international visitors. Key topics explored included enhancing the storytelling aspect of local cuisine, developing experience-based tourism programs rooted in local agricultural produce, and formulating effective online content marketing strategies to showcase the region's culinary delights.

Assemblywoman Lee Hyun-sook emphasized the significant potential of South Chungcheong's culinary landscape, stating, "South Chungcheong boasts a rich array of food resources, each imbued with unique flavors and captivating stories. By effectively integrating these into our tourism offerings, we can significantly contribute to the revitalization of the local economy and elevate the overall brand image of our province." She further added, "This research group is committed to exploring new possibilities for South Chungcheong tourism through in-depth research and the formulation of practical policy recommendations."

To further enrich their research, the study group members will delve into successful case studies of regions, both domestic and international, that have effectively utilized food as a central pillar of their tourism strategy. They will analyze various approaches, including the development of culinary trails, food festivals, cooking classes featuring local ingredients, partnerships with local restaurants and producers, and the creation of engaging digital content showcasing the region's gastronomic heritage. Furthermore, the group intends to explore the potential for agritourism initiatives that connect visitors directly with the source of South Chungcheong's distinctive ingredients. This may involve farm visits, seasonal harvest experiences, and opportunities to learn about traditional farming practices. The integration of technology, such as interactive maps and augmented reality experiences highlighting local food stories and recipes, will also be considered as a means to enhance visitor engagement. The study will also examine the role of local food in promoting sustainable tourism practices and preserving culinary traditions for future generations. By considering these supplementary research avenues, the South Chungcheong Provincial Council aims to develop a comprehensive and impactful strategy for culinary tourism development in the region.