Attraction of Josun Hotel to Andong aims to build foundation for stay-over tourism through expanded lodging infrastructure 

Gyeongsangbuk-do is moving forward with a project to build a 5-star hotel in the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government Complex (New Town). This initiative aims to shift the paradigm from "tourists who simply visit" to "tourists who stay."

On the 22nd, the province held a signing ceremony at the provincial government meeting room for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on "the construction of a 5-star hotel in the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government New Town," alongside Josun Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd., Andong-si, and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Development Corporation.

The province and Josun Hotels & Resorts also signed a companion "Business Agreement to Revitalize Gyeongsangbuk-do’s Hotel and Hospitality Industry." Under this agreement, the two organizations will cooperate to expand investments in hotels and tourist accommodation facilities while revitalizing the food, dining, tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industries.

The agreement aims to bring Josun Hotel—one of South Korea's premier hotel brands—to Andong, thereby expanding accommodation infrastructure and building a stay-over tourism ecosystem linked with Gyeongbuk's rich tourist resources, including world heritage sites, traditional culture, and local cuisine.

With the establishment of a 5-star hotel, tourist length of stay and local spending are expected to increase, further enhancing the living conditions and urban competitiveness of the new town.

The province anticipates that the hotel's arrival will establish a vital new hub for tourism in the northern region of Gyeongbuk. All participating organizations plan to work closely together to ensure the hotel construction project proceeds smoothly without setbacks.

The signing ceremony was attended by around 30 officials, including Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Josun Hotels & Resorts CEO Choi Hoon-hak, Andong Mayor Kwon Ki-chang, and Gyeongbuk Development Corporation President Lee Jae-hyuk.

"It is crucial to go beyond simply attracting tourists, creating an environment where visitors can stay, dine, enjoy themselves, and even conduct business right here in Gyeongbuk," Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated. "We will actively pursue the introduction of South Korea's representative hotel brand, foster Gyeongbuk as a new hub for stay-over tourism, and build a foundation where tourism and the food industry can grow together."

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