# South Korea Global Tourism Special Zones > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-global-tourism-special-zones > Updated: 2026-08-02T06:42:41.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, the Haeundae district of Busan was announced as South Korea’s first "Global Tourism Special Zone" under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s flagship program. The 6.2 km² area, which includes Haeundae and Songjeong beaches, the Film Museum and other landmarks, will receive 60 billion won (half from national funds) to develop AI‑driven tourist kiosks, a 24‑hour unmanned information system and a smart‑payment platform for foreign visitors. The goal is to transform the traditionally day‑trip beach into a stay‑over hub capable of drawing up to six million overseas tourists. A few days later, in early August 2026, the historic city of Gyeongju was added to the program. It secured 30 billion won in national funding, matched by local contributions for a total of 60 billion won over two years. The plan emphasizes a global branding campaign, AI‑based tourism data platforms, night‑time attractions and streamlined payment and transport services, all aimed at extending visitor stays and boosting the regional economy. Both designations reflect the ministry’s broader strategy to use smart technology and targeted investment to shift South Korean tourism from short‑term visits toward longer, higher‑spending stays across multiple regions. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Gyeongju Designated Global Tourism Special Zone with 30 Billion Won Funding Gyeongju has been chosen as a 2026 Global Tourism Special Zone, receiving 30 billion won in national funds and a total of 60 billion won for tourism upgrades, leveraging its APEC legacy and rising foreign‑toury 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gyeongju-designated-global-tourism-special-zone-with-30-billion-won-funding ### 2026-07-30: Busan Haeundae named South Korea's first Global Tourism Special Zone Busan’s Haeundae area becomes South Korea’s first Global Tourism Special Zone, receiving 60 billion won to develop stay‑over tourism, AI kiosks and smart payment across a 6.2 km² hub. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/busan-haeundae-named-south-koreas-first-global-tourism-special-zone --- Cite as: South Korea Global Tourism Special Zones. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-global-tourism-special-zones