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| July 29th, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
**Wellness glamping in a natural setting, relaxing in the salt mountains of Wonju
The new Phytoncide glamping site in Wonju, Gangwon Province, is set to open on 1 August. The glamping site is located within the Ganhyeon tourist destination, which has been selected as one of the top 100 tourist destinations in Korea, and is attracting attention as a place where visitors can enjoy wellness and relaxation in the midst of natural beauty. Visitors can experience a variety of activities such as Chulungdari, Ulungdari, and salt ponds, and the Night of Light Show is a special way to spend time with the night view.
The fee is set at 100,000 won on weekdays, 120,000 won on holidays, and 150,000 won during peak season, with a 30 per cent discount for Wonju residents and residents of sister cities. Reservations for August will be available on the Wonju Facilities Management Corporation website from 29 July at 10am.
"We have made preparations to ensure that customers can enjoy themselves safely through pilot operations before the official opening," said Cho Nam-hyun, chairman of the corporation, "and we will do our best to contribute to the revitalisation of staycation tourism."
**Sunshine Milyang Theme Park, a place to enjoy wellness and leisure at the same time, is rapidly gaining popularity**.
Sunshine Miryang Theme Park in Miryang, Gyeongnam, has been gaining popularity since its opening. The number of visitors exceeded 180,000 in the first half of 2024, attracting tourists from all over the country. The theme park covers a total area of 963,311 square metres and is a multi-themed space encompassing leisure, sports, rural experiences, and ecotourism.
One of the highlights of Sunshine Milyang Theme Park is the wellness-related Yogaculture Town, where visitors can experience authentic Indian yoga and meditation, as well as a variety of wellness programmes, including an Ayurvedic foot spa. An international yoga leadership course and certification programme is also planned for the second half of the year.
The Pet Centre is also a space for pets and non-pets alike, with a dog wading pool and a range of activities that are popular with children and families, such as cat play, puppy meet and greets, and reptile photo time.
The Eco Farm Village, an agricultural experience space, offers cooking classes and nutritious cookie-making programmes using local products. The Sports Park is equipped with various sports facilities such as baseball fields, football fields, and futsal fields, and the 58th Presidential National University Baseball Tournament will be held here.
The Nature Ecolium offers visitors the opportunity to experience ecotourism in Miryang, with an artificial wetland and ecological playground, and the Farmers' Market, located at the gateway to the theme park, offers local forestry and livestock products.
Just in time for the summer holiday season, the Summer Pungdung Children's Water Park will open on 30 July, with a variety of water features including a prefabricated pool, inflatable pool, and waterslides. There will also be survival swimming classes and fringe performances.
Through its various programmes and events, Miryang City is providing tourists with unforgettable summer memories and continues to strive to establish itself as a destination they will want to return to again and again.
**First wellness-focused Buddhist fair in Busan, 'K-Clear'
The '2024 Busan International Buddhist Fair', which will be held in Busan from 8 to 11 August 2024, is attracting great attention as it is the first international Buddhist fair to be held in Busan. Busan is a city with a high concentration of Buddhist infrastructure, and the expo is seen as an important opportunity to promote wellness and meditation culture to the world.
Busan is pursuing globalisation of its MICE industry by leveraging its characteristics as a Buddhist city, and with a large Buddhist population in Korea, the fair is expected to contribute to spreading the country's Zen culture. Through various programmes and experiences, the fair aims to convey the need and benefits of meditation to the MZ generation and the general public.
The fair will have a meditation experience zone, where participants can try singing ball by Master Hong, make wisdom bracelets by Hanmom Seonwon, experience stress tests and meditation by Mita Seonwon, and experience Zen meditation by Mirae Headquarters. There will also be performances by New Jin Nim and Kwanseo Hyun Bodhisattva, a dhammatik, a meditation culture exhibition, and a craft exhibition.
Through this event, the fair organisers aim to establish the identity of Busan as the 'K-Meditation City' and popularise the fair from 2026 to 2028. In addition, they plan to expand the proportion of international exhibitors to more than 10 per cent from 2029 onwards.
The Busan International Buddhist Fair is expected to promote Busan's wellness-focused Buddhist culture to the world and contribute to leading the global wellness trend by providing rich meditation experiences to domestic and international visitors.
**Jangheung Water Festival with Wellness, Promoting Jeollanam-do as a Global Tourism Destination**.
The Jangheung Water Festival, which kicks off this weekend in Jangheung, Jeollanam-do, is being touted as a cool respite from the summer heat. The festival, which will be introduced to tourists from around the world, is being positioned as a global wellness tourism product in partnership with Thailand's Songkran festival. The Changheung Water Festival is a welcome respite from the heat, with water fights, street parades, and more.
The artistic team from Thailand's Songkran Festival will be on board to help promote the Jangheung Water Festival internationally. The Songkran festival is held in Thailand every April and is a huge hit with travellers from around the world. Jangheung Water Festival offers festival content centred on water fights in the spirit of Songkran, and is strengthening its global presence through exchanges with Thailand.
Alongside the Jangheung Water Festival, Jeollanam-do is also developing Hampyeong's 'Gookhyangdae' as a global tourism product. Hampyeong Chrysanthemum Festival is a signature autumn festival that attracts visitors with its large chrysanthemum sculptures and chrysanthemum bonsai displays. Jeonnam plans to link the festival with the flower festival in Dalat, Vietnam, to attract tourists from around the world.
Through the 2024-2026 World Tourism and Culture Olympiad project, Jeonnam is pursuing a strategy to globalise local festivals and develop regional festivals, including the Jangheung Water Festival and the Hampyeong Chrysanthemum Festival, into global tourist attractions. The aim is to position Jeonnam as a centre for global cultural tourism.
"We will use our wellness and tourism resources to promote the charms of Jeonnam to tourists from around the world and grow the province into a global tourism destination," said an official from the province.
**Food trends of Gen MZ in the first half of 2024 with wellness***.
When looking at popular food trends among Gen MZ in the first half of 2024, wellness-related trends stand out. This younger generation is health-conscious and has a strong interest in foods with wellness elements.
**Dubai Chocolate is a unique chocolate made with pistachio cream and cardamom, offering a combination of Middle Eastern ingredients and modern chocolate. The chocolate's popularity has been such that it has caused a rise in the price of pistachios.
**Yoazheng is a yoghurt ice cream chain that offers desserts that are both healthy and delicious. It uses a variety of fruits and natural honeycomb honey as toppings, and consumers have fun creating their own combinations.
**Amanchu is a drink made by adding frozen mango to iced tea and is a result of the interest in wellness food. The drink is gaining traction as a caffeine-free alternative, and the addition of mango instead of ice keeps the drink cold while adding flavour.
The **Croquette** is a dessert that combines a croissant with a chocolate chip cookie, and is becoming popular as a new twist on the traditional croissant. The layered texture of the croissant, combined with the chewiness of the chocolate chips, has created a buzz, especially among influencers.
**The Fresh Lemon Highball is a highball with fresh lemon launched by convenience store CU, featuring a combination of fresh lemon slices and carbonated bubbles. The drink has been a huge hit since its launch, becoming the number one seller.
Finally, **zero foods** are products with reduced calorie and sugar content, and have become very popular among younger, health-conscious consumers. Zero-calorie beverages and snacks are gaining traction with consumers who are looking for both flavour and health.
These trends are influenced by social media and demonstrate a shift in consumption patterns towards wellness and health.
**The 32nd Aurage Raft Festival, a blend of wellness and tradition, was a huge success**.
The 32nd Aurage Raft Festival in Jeongseon-gun, Jeongseon-do has come to a successful conclusion. The festival, which took place from 26 to 28 July 2024 at Auraji, Yeoryang-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, was loved by many tourists as a place to enjoy traditional culture and wellness elements together.
On the first day of the festival, visitors were impressed by the sight of rafts on the Auraji River, where the Songcheon and Golji rivers meet, along with an event that recreated the traditional scene of rafters transporting timber along the river on rafts. In addition, the opening ceremony of the festival featured a moda drum performance by local residents, a performance by the Silver Choir, and a sound drama 'Rafters' by the Jeongsun Arirang County Arts Troupe.
The festival also offered various wellness experiences and tastings of local specialities. The wellness programmes, including free tastings of sweet corn prepared by Yeoryangmyeon social organisations, booths selling local food, Jeongseon Photo Photo Exhibition, and couples yoga at the Arirang Exhibition Hall, gave tourists a unique experience. In particular, the local food made from local agricultural products and the photo exhibition with the scenic backdrop were highly appreciated by tourists.
"This year's Aurage Raft Festival was a celebration of traditional culture and harmony between locals and tourists," said Lee Joo-hyun, chairman of the Yeoryang-myeon Culture and Sports Festival Committee. "We will continue to preserve the natural environment and culture of the area and welcome more tourists."
**A New Turning Point in Wellness and Emotional Care: Expanding Total Pet Care Services***.
As more and more pet owners are concerned about improving the quality of life of their pets, the industry is expanding its total wellness care services to include emotional care as well as health care. Wellness aims to achieve a balance of physical, emotional and social health and includes regular health checks, behavioural training, nutrition and providing opportunities for social interaction.
Emotional management is a key component of pet wellness care, as stress reduction has a positive impact on physical health and increases pet life satisfaction. Recently, AIPOPET, which operates the pet healthcare app 'TeeTeeCare', has partnered with PeerFree, a US-based animal behaviourism training organisation, to exclusively conduct PeerFree training and certification in Korea, providing Korean subtitles and translating training materials to help educate pet industry stakeholders and owners on emotional stability.
The company will host a forum for pet wellness care at the Samjeong Hotel in Seoul on 31 August and 1 September to share the philosophy and experience of PeerFree. Another innovation is Noulinform's 'PetPulse', a wearable device that uses AI to analyse your pet's voice and recognise emotions with over 90% accuracy.
Dong-A Pharma's 'Bepple' is a pet-specific nutritional supplement that contains ingredients to help boost immunity and reduce stress, while AIPOPET's 'Meepet Tearing Genius Stick' supports cognitive improvement and overall health in senior dogs. All of these products are focused on supporting your pet's wellbeing and overall happy lifestyle.
**Wellness meets health and fitness: Technogym revolutionises luxury hotel fitness**.
With the hot summer and rainy season upon us, many of us are planning a 'getaway' to enjoy a relaxing holiday at a nearby hotel. In recent years, with the growing focus on health and wellness, we've seen a trend towards 'health holidays' that go beyond the simple holiday. The term 'wellness' combines a hotel holiday with fitness and wellness, making hotel fitness facilities an important selection criterion.
In line with this trend, the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and Hilton Hotel Gyeongju have recently renovated and refreshed their fitness centres. The Italian brand Technogym is the equipment of choice for these hotels, with the formula 'five-star hotel = Technogym' being the preferred choice for luxury hotels.
Artis, Technogym's top-of-the-range line, is used in the fitness centres of leading luxury hotels such as Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Signiel Seoul, and Grand Hyatt Seoul, where the fitness centres offer a luxurious wellness experience with plenty of natural light and spectacular views of the city.
In the Busan area, Ananti at Busan Cove and Grand Chosun Busan are also in the spotlight. The fitness centre at Grand Chosun Busan uses Technogym treadmills to provide stunning views of Haeundae Beach and the city centre, while Ananti at Busan Cove features Technogym cardio machines and a variety of strength training equipment to create an optimal wellness experience with stunning ocean views.
As such, Technogym is setting a new standard for wellness and health in fitness facilities at luxury hotels, providing guests with an integrated experience of wellness and fitness, giving them a healthy and luxurious break.
**Innovation in wellness and women's insurance: Hanwha Insurance's Chae-beom Nah succeeds at the helm***.
Chae-beom Na, CEO of Hanwha Insurance, is leading the company's successful establishment as a specialised insurer for women. Hanwha has been making significant progress in its pursuit of wellness and social issues through insurance products tailored to women.
The Signature Women's Insurance, launched in July 2023, has been well received with KRW 92.9 billion in premiums and KRW 15.7 billion in cumulative sales. The insurance has attracted attention for its special features that reflect the practical needs of women, such as enhanced coverage for critical illnesses after childbirth and subsidies for infertility treatment, and was selected as a new financial product for win-win cooperation by the Financial Supervisory Service.
Hanwha established the 'FemTech Lab' to address social issues related to women and focus on developing products tailored to customers. In collaboration with Cha Hospital, the lab provides innovative services such as specialised breast cancer diagnostic fees and AMH tests, reinforcing its leadership in the field of women's health and wellness.
In addition, Hanwha demonstrates ESG management through social contribution programmes for vulnerable women. Under the slogan "Well Together, Living Well Together," Hanwha supports young women preparing for independence and donates to prevent and treat infertility. We also provide home training information for pregnant women and support IVF procedures, contributing to the promotion of women's health.
Hanwha's efforts are not just about insurance products, but also about women's well-being and social value creation.
**Wellness and Cool Festivals: Taebaek, Summer's Heat
Taebaek, South Korea's coolest city with an average summer temperature of 22 degrees, is heating up with a summer festival. The 'Han River and Nakdong River Origin Festival', with the concept of 'healing and wellness', has been attracting clouds of spectators since its opening on the 27th, raising expectations for a successful festival.
The festival is being held in various locations across the region, including Hwangji Pond, Taebaek Station, Aurora Park, Gumunso, and Jangseong Central Market, adding to its vitality. Over the weekend, the water walking parade, opening performance, Seonsun Beer Festival, and Influencer Belly Bear event drew crowds from all over the country.
Until 4 August, the festival will continue with a series of programs to satisfy all five senses, including Seonsun Water Night and Cool Cinema, various performances, food and beer festivals.
In particular, the 'Ssobaugol Coal Mine Culture Meat Festival', which is themed around Taebaek's representative food, coal mine culture meat, will be held from 2 to 4 August at the Ssobaugol Coal Mine Culture Site in Cheolam. The festival includes a variety of programmes, including discounted beef sirloin sales, meat grills, free tasting sessions, and a beef auction event, providing tourists with something different to enjoy.
"The festival, which is held in cool Taebaek at an average altitude of 900 metres, is a great source of energy for citizens and tourists," said Mayor Lee Sang-ho. "We will focus our administrative efforts on developing successful festivals and tourism resources."
**Wellness and East Coast Tourism: Consumption Scale, Reputation Not Up to Scratch***.
The east coast of Gangwon Province ranks sixth in the country in terms of tourism spending, a figure that falls short of the region's reputation, according to a new study. According to a report released by the Korea Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Development Institute on the 28th, tourism spending on the east coast was worth 3.78 trillion won, or about 9.2 per cent of the country's total marine tourism spending (40.94 trillion won). This is a difference of more than 1 trillion won compared to the top three regions of Busan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam, and tourism spending on the east coast accounts for 75.8 per cent of the total commercial area (4.99 trillion won).
The problem is that tourists on the east coast are mainly composed of the elderly. According to the survey, 20.7 per cent of east coast marine tourists are in their 60s, 20.6 per cent are in their 50s, and 17.9 per cent are in their 70s or older, meaning that strategies are needed to attract more people in their 40s and 50s, who are the main consumers. However, their share of spending is 29.3 per cent in the 40s and 27.4 per cent in the 50s.
It is also pointed out that consumption on the east coast is concentrated on accommodation and food, and there is a lack of leisure and entertainment infrastructure. Nationally, Busan, Gangwon, and Gyeongnam are the regions with the highest sales in the seafood industry, with Gangwon having a high proportion of food and accommodation. Therefore, there is a need for family-type tourism products aimed at people in their 40s and 50s, marine healing and wellness programmes for middle-aged people, and marine leisure activities for people in their 20s and 30s.
"It is urgent to expand differentiated infrastructure for foreign tourists to improve tourism in the east coast region," said an official from the Korea Maritime Fisheries Development Institute.
**Tri-colour appeal of Busan hotels with wellness: Wyndham Grand, L7 Haeundae, and The Westin Chosun
The hotel market in Busan is hot. Three hotels with their own characteristics are attracting attention as summer approaches.
**The Wyndham Grand Busan is the only five-star hotel in Western Busan, offering panoramic ocean views from its location close to Songdo Beach. It offers a luxurious wellness experience with an indoor pool, seawater spa, state-of-the-art fitness centre and On the Cloud Bar & Grill, which serves international cuisine. You can enjoy premium F&B at affordable prices.
**L7 Haeundae is a new concept hotel by Lotte Hotels & Resorts, located in front of Haeundae Beach. Aimed at young people, it is equipped with modern facilities such as an infinity pool, jacuzzi, and poolside lounge, and emphasises its trendy image with limited-edition goods in collaboration with Balansa and a 'Welcome Mini Bar' event. It also offers the latest amenities such as an 'energy studio' and unmanned kiosks.
**The Westin Chosun Busan has been renovated for three years to provide the ultimate wellness experience with a blend of modern and classic design. The renovated guest rooms and lobby offer guests a relaxing retreat, while the Panorama Lounge offers a variety of whiskies and signature cocktails with a night view of Busan. The hotel also offers an indoor swimming pool with views of Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island.
These three hotels offer a variety of choices for travellers to Busan with their unique features and wellness elements, creating the ultimate summer hotel experience.
**The Evolution of Wellness and Customized Meals: A New Paradigm of Ultra-Personalised Service
The Korean catering industry is revolutionising its personalised meal service. In recent years, the food service sector has been focusing on ultra-personalised services that go beyond simple differentiated menus to meet individual health conditions and needs.
'Ultra-personalisation' is an evolved form of personalised service that provides customized diets in consideration of health conditions such as weight and medical history. The care food market is expected to grow to KRW 3 trillion by 2025, meaning that it is gaining popularity not only among the elderly but also among the health-conscious general public.
Hyundai Green Food provides personalised nutrition counselling and care food to players of the professional basketball team Hyundai Mobis through 'Greeting Athlete'. The programme suggests the optimal diet through analysis of each player's body composition, and plans to expand to various sports in the future.
Through 'KALIS lab', Our Home provides personalised diets to improve obesity, diabetes, and other conditions. The service provides one-on-one nutrition counselling and customised diets based on the results of medical examinations, and adjusts the diet according to the customer's health condition.
Samsung Wellstory is also working with Samsung Medical Center to develop a customized nutrition intervention programme for esophageal cancer survivors. The programme will provide a one-stop care service model with customised meals that are easy to digest, increasing the convenience of meal management.
These ultra-personalised services are responding to individual health and wellness needs and represent a new paradigm for the foodservice industry. Industry insiders emphasise that the continuous development of personalised services and products will be essential to meet the health needs of consumers.
**Wellness and IT Entrepreneurship Meet: 'Like a Boss' Hackathon***.
IT education company Goksa will host the 12th Anniversary Hackathon of Goksa University from 6-7 August at the Yangjae aT Center Exhibition Hall 2. The theme of the hackathon is 'Wellness', and participants will work in teams to develop IT-based web services that can solve modern health problems.
Hackathons are competitions where participants from various professions, including planners, developers, and designers, gather to create solutions for a specific topic within a limited time, providing practical experience for students who want to work in the IT field and start their own businesses.
This year's hackathon will be attended by more than 1,500 students from 55 universities affiliated with Moxa University, and will be judged by experts in the field of entrepreneurship and startups, including Moxa CEO Sungyoung Na.
The event is sponsored by 14 companies, including Younglim One Softtrap, Goal Studio, and Nalna, and will also feature booths where participants can experience Moxa's IT education bootcamp, Moxa School, VOD education platform, Moxanext, and new IP business, Hashout.
"We expect more than 300 services related to wellness to be developed through this hackathon, and we hope to provide opportunities for participants to realise their ideas and become competitive in the IT field," said Na Sung-young.
**Wellness meets marine therapy: Wando Marine Therapy Management Corporation signs agreement with Jeollanam-do women's organisations**.
On 24 July, Wando Marine Healing Management Corporation (Chairman Lee Chae-bin) in Jeollanam-do signed a business agreement with the Jeollanam-do Women's Organisation Council. The agreement includes cooperation in the operation of marine therapy programmes to promote the Wando Marine Therapy Centre and improve the welfare of members of women's organisations in Jeollanam-do, as well as cooperation in events and training in connection with marine therapy facilities.
Since its opening, the Wando Ocean Healing Centre has become a healing destination for more than 30,000 visitors and was named '2024 Outstanding Wellness Destination' by the Korea Tourism Organization. The centre has gained prominence in the wellness sector by promoting the benefits of marine healing.
"It is very meaningful to sign an agreement with the Jeonnam Women's Organisations Council, which strives to promote women's social participation and empowerment," said Lee Chae-bin. "We will promote the excellence of marine therapy and develop tailor-made programmes to help members improve their physical and mental health."
**Nami Island's summer holiday programme filled with wellness and fun
Nami Island has a wide range of programmes for everyone from toddlers to university students to enjoy this summer. Nami Island, located one hour from Seoul, has been attracting attention as the perfect place to experience healing in the beautiful scenery of the Bukhan River and natural forests.
**Wellness and activities in nature
On Nami Island, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Maritime Traffic Safety Agency have teamed up to offer the 'Visiting Maritime Safety Experience'. The programme is a two-hour session of marine safety theory and practice, where you can learn how to wear a life jacket and how to swim for survival. The programme is free for visitors to Nami Island and takes place in the cool outdoor pool at Watergarden during the summer months.
There's also a Hayschools Club, where you can experience Finnish early childhood education programmes, and a nature-based wellness programme. This gives parents a break and children a unique educational opportunity.
**A wide range of activities and facilities
Activities for teens and college students include an 80 metre high zipwire, an island tricoaster, megaslides, and jet boats. Nami Water Park offers a cool and dynamic experience with a variety of rides, while the Picture Book Playground, Nami Concours Gallery and Yueqingcheng Happy Garden Art Museum are also open to the public for free.
On Nami Island, there are a variety of eateries to choose from, including Island Scent Restaurant, where you can try Chuncheon's famous chicken ribs, and Nammun Restaurant, famous for its lotus leaf rice set meal and seafood pajeon. Accommodation is also available, so you're all set for a great time on Nami Island during your school holidays.
**Global wellness trends in 2024 and trends in the Belgian luxury fitness market**.
The global wellness market in 2024 will be driven by five key trends: self-health testing kits, biomonitoring devices, personalised products using AI technology, expert-advised clinic products, and clinically validated products. The importance of home healthcare in the post-COVID-19 era is driving demand for self-testing kits and biomonitoring devices. Personalised wellness solutions using AI technology, clinic products based on expert recommendations, and clinically validated products are increasingly favoured.
Belgium's luxury fitness market is also being influenced by similar wellness trends. Premium fitness clubs are booming in Brussels, with clubs like Aspria, David Lloyd, and Mix being the main players. These clubs are 100% membership-based, have state-of-the-art facilities, and offer family and personalised services.
Aspria has three locations in Brussels and offers a range of programmes targeting business, luxury shopping and residential areas. In particular, it caters to a wide range of age groups with family-friendly programmes, childcare services and senior programmes. The clubs also serve as social clubs, with a range of amenities including bars, restaurants, and shared offices.
Looking ahead, the Belgian luxury fitness market is expected to continue to grow through AI technology, sustainable operations, and strengthening community and local networks. Clubs are expected to offer personalised healthcare solutions through technological innovation and to emphasise environmental and social values.
**Wellness and Privacy, Newin Internationally Certified***.
Newin, an electronic healthcare technology company, today announced that it has received three international certifications for its ADHD and migraine treatment device and app-integrated monitoring and analytics service platform. The certifications are for the international standards ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management System), ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Management System), and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance in the United States.
Newin's platform works with US healthcare organisations and insurers to provide digital healthcare services for population health management. These certifications are among the most prestigious in the information security and privacy space and demonstrate that we have a system in place to systematically and securely manage patient personal information from external threats.
These certifications ensure that Newin meets the legal requirements essential for working with global healthcare organisations, insurers, and partners, and provide global capabilities to strengthen trust with customers. "Securely handling and maintaining personal health information and personalised treatment solution data is a critical area that needs to be managed on an ongoing basis," said Dohyeong Kim, CEO of Newin.
Newin is preparing to enter the market with ADHD medical device 'ADDNOX' to be launched in the US and wellness device 'WITHNOX' to be launched in Korea, and plans to promote full-scale sales through cooperation with various partners.
**Oreb Hot Spring & Spa, the perfect blend of wellness and healing in Jeju**.
Designated as Jeju's only healing hot spring, Oreve Hot Spring & Spa is loved by many visitors for its perfect blend of wellness and luxury. Spanning a total of 9,290 square metres, the spa offers a variety of hydrotherapy facilities and luxurious relaxation areas, making it the perfect place to heal your body and mind.
OREV Hot Spring & Spa offers a variety of hydrotherapy facilities, including a German-style bathing pool, a kids' pool and an outdoor infinity pool, allowing visitors of all ages to enjoy both health and pleasure. In particular, the eight open-air baths and aroma sauna maximise the benefits of the natural thermal waters to provide deep relaxation.
Oreb Hot Spring & Spa also offers a variety of steam and sauna facilities, including seven distinctive steam spas, a Finnish sauna, and a cypress nature room. The Snow Room and Himalayan Salt Halotherapy Room, the first of its kind in Korea, offer special healing effects, while the Ochre Sauna and Community Room provide a variety of options for visitors.
Set in the beautiful natural surroundings of Seogwipo, Jeju Island, OREV Hot Spring & Spa is the centre of wellness tourism in Jeju, and is located within JW Marriott Jeju & Spa, allowing guests to enjoy both an overnight stay and a thermal spa experience. It is more than just a hot spring, it is a special place to rejuvenate life and heal the body and mind, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience.
**Sancheong-gun, the centre of wellness tourism, declares '2025 Sancheong Visitation Year'
Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, has declared 'Sancheong Visit Year 2025', pledging to take a leap forward as a wellness tourism destination. Sancheong-gun held a proclamation ceremony for the '2025 Sancheong Visitation Year' in conjunction with the ON Sancheong Shining Summer Night Festival at Josan Park. More than 4,000 people, including local politicians, tourism industry officials, and festival-goers, participated in the event to wish for a successful visitation year.
The event began with a performance by pop singer Poet, followed by a vision presentation, media video screening, congratulatory video messages, proclamation performance, military and civilian participation ceremony, and a congratulatory performance by invited singer Lin. In particular, the Sancheong Tourism Promotion Centre organised various events, a Sancheong emotional flea market, and a kids' zone, which received great responses from visitors.
"We will create tourism infrastructure, such as the Chestnut Head Ash Tourist Attraction Project, and establish a tourism belt in the Jiri Mountain Region to hold various events in conjunction with the festival," said Lee Seung-hwa, promising to successfully promote the '2025 Sancheong Visit Year'. Through this proclamation, Sancheong County plans to further consolidate its transformation into a wellness tourism city and focus on enhancing the value of local tourism resources.
**Geochang 'Mysterious Wellness Geochang', a harmony of wellness and rural travel A healing experience**.
'Mysterious Wellness, Geochang', a programme promoted by Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam, was a success. programme promoted by Gechang-gun, Gyeongnam has been successful. The programme was selected for the 2024 Rural Creative Tour Support Project and was fully booked during the peak season in July and August. The trip was attended by 30 active seniors in the 40-50 age group, who had a chance to soothe their minds and bodies through the beautiful nature and wellness experiences in Geochang-gun.
The "Mysterious Wellness Geochang" trip started with a welcome tea at a sixth-industry farmhouse on the first day, followed by a forest bath at Geochang Hangnoehwa Healing Land, home to Korea's first Y-shaped suspension bridge, making Geochang apple rose pie at the Apple Theme Park, and relaxing in the Gajo Hot Spring. On the second day, the group took a walk through the lotus marsh at Geochang Changpo Garden, and finished the trip with a meal of bulgogi (Geochang beef fed with wormwood) at the Sky Rain Adventure Village.
"Through 'Mysterious Wellness, Geochang', Geochang is establishing itself as a new tourist destination, and I hope you will come back to enjoy the autumn in Geochang in the future," said Geochang County Mayor Koo In-mo. The programme is a collaboration between the local Rural Experience Village Council and a private travel agency, and is available through BabaGround's online travel platform 'How to Play'. The Mysterious Wellness Geochang is a creative tourism product that utilises local resources and provides opportunities to meet a variety of tourism needs.
**Wellness and goji tea, the secret drink at Gangwon Land Wellness Centre
The Gangwon Land Wellness Centre is located within the Hiwon Resort in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, and is popular for its programmes that combine wellness with traditional tea culture. On a recent visit, the reporter enjoyed a variety of tea experiences at the wellness centre, which is scented with the aroma of goji berries. Goji berry tea is known for its nutritional benefits and rich aroma.
In addition to goji tea, the wellness centre's programme includes quince tea, astragalus tea, and jujube tea, all of which are made from ingredients grown in Gangwon-do. Goji tea is popular among female customers for its fine colour and fragrant aroma. Goji berries have a long history of medicinal use and are considered one of the three great medicinal plants in China, along with ginseng and hassuo, and are believed to be the plant that, along with reishi mushrooms, is considered to be the herb of fire.
Goji tea has a variety of benefits, including improving vision and immune function, anti-aging skin, protecting brain cells from damage, and improving blood sugar levels, and its cooling properties make it a great decoction to combine with other herbs. There are also legends about the effects of wolfberry, which reinforce the belief that it is a plant that helps to keep you young and healthy.
It's a great way to beat the heat of summer, and it's a great way to replenish your energy. Gangwon Land Wellness Centre offers visitors a special healing experience through this traditional tea experience.
**Songdo Beach Festival, a wellness experience in the heart of the city
Incheon Yeonsu-gu announced that the Songdo Beach Festival 2024 will be held at Songdo Dalbit Park for six days from 10 August. The festival will offer visitors a new experience by introducing a variety of wellness programmes and sports entertainment under the concept of an 'urban vacation'.
During the festival, Songdo Dalbit Park will be divided into 18 zones, including water playgrounds, artificial beaches, and CrossFit experience zones. In particular, the artificial beach and water playground have been enlarged with children's swimming pools and waterslides to make it cooler in the heat. In addition, the park will be open at night on weekdays to allow more people to enjoy the festival, and various cultural programmes such as DJ performances and busking performances will be held.
New to the wellness programme are CrossFit competitions and health-related activities, with a different theme for each day of the festival. The themes will be Nanjang, Retro, Moon, Fire, Water, and Energy, offering a different experience each day.
Through the festival, Yeonsu-gu plans to recreate the nostalgia of Songdo and position itself as a representative marine leisure content in the capital region. "We revived the Songdo Beach Festival despite the difficult situation last year, and this year we have prepared an even richer programme," said Lee Jae-ho, head of Yeonsu-gu, adding that he will make every effort to ensure that residents can enjoy the festival in a fun and comfortable way.
**Wellness and Forest Culture, Chunhae National University Forest Culture Interpreter 1st Level Certificate Course Completion Ceremony***.
The Department of Wellness, Culture and Tourism at Chunhae National University announced on the 27th that it held the completion ceremony for the 'Forest Culture Interpreter Level 1 Certificate Course'. The course was held as a non-degree course under the LiFE 2.0 project in 2024, and consisted of a programme including 15 hours of face-to-face training and a certification examination for 26 adult learners.
The training was held on 20 and 27 July, with a combination of field and theoretical classes. On the first day, the participants learned about the ecology of the forest, the structure of trees and insects, and forest cultural interpretation techniques through forest explanation and observation activities at Hwamyeong Arboretum, while on the second day, they learned about the ecology of the forest, the structure of trees and insects, and forest cultural interpretation techniques. All the participants received a first-level certificate as forest cultural interpreters, having developed a deep understanding of the forest and practical skills through theory and practice.
"The forest culture interpretation training helped adult learners to communicate with nature and understand forest ecology by combining practice and theory," said Han Sun-hee, head of the Department of Wellness, Culture and Tourism. "We hope that the certification will serve as an opportunity to enhance their expertise in the field of forest culture."
"I have always been interested in forests, and this training has deepened my understanding of the role of forest culture interpreters and forest culture," said Song Jae-hoon, a participant.
**Wellness and Integrated Resort: A Glimpse into the Future of Gangwon Land***.
As Gangwon Land looks to transform itself into a global integrated resort, it recently visited Inspire Entertainment Resort in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. The resort is a complex space that integrates art, shopping, and entertainment, and is attracting attention as a model for Gangwon Land's future vision.
The resort offers a variety of experiences, including a shopping mall, water park, casino, and digital art exhibition space to cater to a wide range of customers. In particular, the casino is accessible only through the main lobby, allowing all visitors to experience the various facilities first. This is a similar approach to the integrated resort that Gangwon Land is planning.
Gangwon Land is currently in the process of transforming itself into an integrated resort through the K-HIT (Hi-One Integrated Tourism) project. It plans to invest KRW 2.5 trillion by 2032 to introduce various facilities and services to enhance its global competitiveness. The project is focused on discovering new food and attractions and maximising visitors' experiences through regional tourism.
However, the biggest challenge for Gangwon Land's transformation into a mixed-use resort is transport accessibility. Currently, Gangwon Land operates transport services such as the Taebaekseon Shuttle Bus, but it still faces challenges in addressing accessibility issues. The lack of connectivity to Yangyang International Airport also remains a challenge.
Referring to the successful example of Inspire Resort, Gangwon Land will continue to strive to strengthen the functions and services of its integrated resorts and strengthen its position in the global market by linking with local tourism.
**Wellness and activities: Attraction of the 2024 Gyeongnam Hapcheon Vacation Festival**.
Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam, will host the '2024 Hapcheon Vacation Festival' from 2 to 6 August at the Hwanggang Riverfront of Jeongyang Leisure Sports Park. The theme of this year's festival is 'Extreme & Water Vacation' and will provide visitors with an unforgettable summer holiday through various activities and water play experiences.
The festival will offer thrills and spills with extreme obstacle competitions such as 'King of the Hapcheon', 'Daeyasung Water Gun Battle' and 'EDM Water Night Performance', among others. 'King of the Hapcheon' is an event where participants can enjoy the fun of challenge and competition by overcoming various obstacles such as wall jumping and tightrope riding. Participation is open until 31 July and costs 30,000 won.
The free water pool for children will be open daily during the festival, with a variety of waterslides, and is expected to be a big hit with families. There will also be various programmes for children, including a bubble magic show and a balloon show, as well as experience booths such as pinwheel and paper hat making.
In addition to the festival, Hapcheon is also attractive as a wellness destination. Various tourist attractions such as Jeongyang Swamp Ecological Park, Gyeongnam Safety Experience Centre, Hapcheon Video Theme Park and the Blue House set are nearby, making it an attractive summer destination. Paragliding at Daesamsan Mountain and visiting the Hapcheon Meteorite Impact Zone are also recommended.
"Hapcheon is a wellness tourism city that boasts natural scenery that can be enjoyed in all seasons," said Kim Yoon-cheol, the mayor of Hapcheon-gun, adding that he hopes visitors will build summer memories at the Hapcheon Vacation Festival, which features cool water play and obstacle races against the backdrop of the Hwanggang River and Hamwamru.
**Wellness meets healing: 'Mysterious Wellness, Geochang', Geochang-gun Successful conclusion of the fifth trip**.
'Mysterious Wellness, Geochang' programme promoted by Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam programme promoted by Gechang-gun, Gyeongnam, has been successfully completed. This trip was a newly launched project selected for the Rural Creative Tour Support Project in 2024, and 30 active seniors in their 40s and 50s participated.
'Mysterious Wellness, Geochang' The trip began with a welcome tea at a sixth-order industrial farmhouse in Geochang-gun, followed by a forest bath at Geochang Hangnohwa Healing Land, home to Korea's first Y-shaped suspension bridge. Afterwards, we made Geochang apple rose pie at the Apple Theme Park and ended the first day with a relaxing soak in the Gajo Hot Spring.
On the second day, we took a walk through the lotus wetlands of Geochang Iris Garden, visited the Sky Rain Adventure Village, and ended the trip with a meal of grilled ayu bulgogi. The trip provided a healing time while experiencing the nature and wellness resources of Geochang.
The Rural Creative Tour Support Project is a project in which local rural experience village councils, cultural foundations, and social enterprises cooperate to plan and operate creative tourism products using local resources.
"Through Geochang, a mysterious wellness destination, many people have come to recognise Geochang as a new tourist destination," said Gu In-mo. "I hope you will come back to enjoy the beauty of autumn at Geochang's anti-aging Healing Land, Iris Garden, and Gamaksan Mountain."
**A new beginning for LOTTE Wellfood, a leader in wellness and food**.
LOTTE Well Food (formerly LOTTE Confectionery) grew out of LOTTE Confectionery, which was founded in Japan in 1948 and is the parent company of the LOTTE Group today. LOTTE Confectionery was founded by Chairman Emeritus Shin Myung-ho and has been a leading confectionery company in both the domestic and international markets.
He started a successful gum business in Japan and established Lotte Confectionery in Korea, where he achieved the No. 1 market share for various products including gum and chocolate. Xylitol gum is particularly popular in the Korean confectionery market, and the company is currently running an oral health campaign in collaboration with the Korean Dental Association.
In 2022, Lotte Well Foods absorbed Lotte Foods and began manufacturing and selling dairy products and fresh food. After 56 years, the company changed its name to 'Lotte Well Food' to emphasise its image of well-being and wellness. The new name reflects the company's goal to establish itself as a comprehensive food company for all age groups and to lead a healthy food culture through 'wellness'.
Lotte Wellfoods has recently been consolidating its domestic operations to improve operational efficiency and enhance profitability. As part of this process, the company decided to shut down its plant in Jeungpyeong, Chungcheongbuk-do, and aims to streamline operations and reduce costs through the sale.
LOTTE Wellfoods is now a leading wellness and health company and is continuously evolving to meet the needs of diverse consumers.
**Wellness and Brain Education Meet at Global Cyber University's Brain Aroma Special Lecture***.
'Brain Aroma' will be held on 1 August as the fourth topic of the relay lecture held by the College of Brain Education at Global Cyber University (President Gong Byung-young) for the summer break. This lecture will cover specific and professional contents on brain aroma, and will be delivered by Adjunct Professor Han Lia (President of the International Brain Aromatherapy Association).
The theme of the lecture is 'Aroma and the Brain' and will share in-depth research and practice on the convergence of brain and aroma. Global Cyber University signed an MOU with the International Association of Brain Aromatherapy in 2022, hosted the 'Aroma Meets Brain' symposium, and has been conducting the 'Brain Aroma Research Project' since this year.
The College of Brain Education at Global Cyber University has two departments, including the Department of Brain Education, the Department of Brain Training, and the Dementia Specialised Care Major, and one multiple degree system, providing expertise and systematic training methods for each area of brain utilisation. In particular, brain trainer examination courses are organised in the regular curriculum, and a national qualification course for childcare teachers has been added.
"Social interest in the brain should not be limited to knowledge, but should create practical changes," said Jang Rae-hyuk, chairman of the Department of Brain Education, "We plan to introduce a new course on 'Brain Aroma' from the second semester of this year and strengthen the convergence with aroma."
The summer special lecture at the College of Brain Education at Global Cyber University can be applied for through the university and departmental websites, and is currently recruiting new and transfer students for the 2024 academic year until 19 August. The special lecture, which provides new learning opportunities through the convergence of wellness and brain education, is expected to attract a lot of interest.
**"How is it here?" Rural Creative Tour and Local Activities, where Wellness and Rural Experience Meet
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is supporting programmes that combine rural experiences and wellness activities this summer. Through the 'Small-scale Rural Experience Programme Development Support Project', 40 rural recreation villages have been selected to offer experiences such as rice wine making and kimchi making. The programme will provide a total of 900 million won in support to provide wellness experiences through rural experiences.
Particularly noteworthy is the 'Rural CREATOUR' project. This project is a collaboration between rural tourism businesses and private travel agencies, offering a variety of rural-themed experiences and activities. The Rural CREATOUR programme includes 20 regions in Gyeonggi-do, Gapyeong, Gangwon-do, Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, and Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, offering creative and participatory tourism opportunities.
Jeonbuk startup Actibuki provides integrated information on farming experiences, accommodation, and travel through its 'Nolgo Farm' app, which allows users to easily book and pay for rural experiences.
The Korea Rural Affairs Corporation's 'Umaville' project is a programme that uses idle rural resources to offer one-day classes to urbanites. In Naju City, a variety of classes were held, including cooking, crafts, drawing, and yoga, and participants spent a relaxing time in the rural atmosphere.
In addition, the Rural Sharing Venture team supports various activities such as clubs and rural workcations to increase the utilisation of rural spaces. These programmes, which combine wellness and rural experiences, provide new opportunities for urbanites to relax and recharge.