“Green Railway & Beach Train” Selected for 2022 Korea Tourism Awards
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The city of Busan has announced that the Busan Green Railway & Beach Train (Blueline Park) was selected as one of the main category winners for the 2022 Korea Tourism Awards.
It has been recognized as the ‘Star of Korea Tourism’, an award given by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognize tourism resources, local governments, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the development of tourism in the ROK.
At the Korea Tourism Awards, marking its 12th year since the event began in 2010, Busan (Busan Tourism Organization) has finally won the main prize after six years of fierce competition since ‘Busan old downtown story’ won in the local traditional tourism resources category in 2016.
The final selection was made after an evaluation of public recognition and survey, in addition to big data analysis and expert on-site evaluation about its attractiveness and contribution to development. Being selected as the winner is more notable because it was achieved through cooperation between the city of Busan, Haeundae-gu, and Blueline Park.
Haeundae Blueline Park is a picturesque eco-friendly coastal attraction that was actually created by reforming a closed down railway on the Donghae Nambu Line. The park began its operation in 2020. Visitors can navigate through the park by riding the Haeundae Beach Train which stops at 6 stations, Mipo station, Dalmaji Tunnel, Cheongsapo Station, Daritdol Observatory, Gudeokpo, and Songjeong. The train’s seats all face the window so passengers can enjoy beautiful sea views while riding on it. Haeundae Blueline Park is open all year round and has become one of the must-visit and must-try attractions in Busan with over 700,000 annual visitors.
You can also explore the park at your own pace rather than riding a train, there are also walking paths called ‘Busan Green Railway’ that you can take all along the coastal path.
The walking deck was built without any obstacles along the way in all sections of the Green Railway (9.8km in total from the Olympic Intersection to Songjeong), making it a tourist spot where even wheelchairs can move freely, which has drawn positive responses from both residents and tourists alike. This played a pivotal role in being selected for the award.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism plans to support an intensive media PR and overseas marketing campaign for the Haeundae Green Railway & Beach Train. This is expected to have a huge advertising effect of over billions of won, including the promotion of Busan's tourism city status.
Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon said, “A historical, meaningful prize was awarded through the efforts of Busan, Haeundae, and the Busan tourism industry.” He added, “We will do our very best to stand out as a national tourist spot for Koreans and foreigners visiting Busan, the international tourism city, following this achievement of winning the prize.”
Inquiries: Tourism Promotion Division (Tel: 051-888-5205)
