The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization on March 5 announced their selection of Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province, as the country's two cities for pet-friendly tourism. Seen are people walking their dogs on Green Island in Suncheon. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Margareth Theresia

Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province, have been designated the country's two cities for pet-friendly tourism this year.

The designation was announced on March 5 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization.

A pet-friendly tourist city allows visitors with companion animals to freely pursue tourist activities like accommodations, experiences and shopping. Last year's designees were Ulsan and Taean-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province.

The competition for this year's designation attracted 18 local governments and featured innovative and never-before-seen interactive tourism led by Pocheon's "Nostalgic Trip with Old Dogs and Program to Heal and Overcome Pet Loss Syndrome" and Suncheon's "Pet Mud Products and Interactive Pet Healing Program" using the latter city's mudflat resources.

Recognizing the potential of their designations, Pocheon and Suncheon are developing pet-friendly tours that highlight the unique cityscapes and attractions of each city.

Under the theme "Tourist Destination Where All Pets in the World Are Happy," Pocheon is developing a pet welcome center primarily based in Pocheon Art Valley. The travel program Hantangang River DogGeo Touring also grants temporary access to previously pet-restricted areas of the river including Bidulginang Waterfalls and Meonguri Gorge.

Suncheon is promoting pet culture through its pet culture center opened last year under the slogan "Adding a Pet Paradise to Suncheon." The pet tourism programs exclusive to Suncheon include Pet Camping in the Flower World at Suncheon Bay National Garden and the Daeng-daeng (Puppies) Run Tour in Suncheon, a marathon for both pets and their owners.

"Traveling with pets is the latest tourism trend and demand for it is surging," said Park Jong Taek, director-general of the ministry's Tourism Policy Bureau. "The ministry will support without fail the growth of pet-friendly tourist cities into happy and convenient destinations for both pet owners and non-pet owners by discovering unique tourism content, related campaigns to improve awareness, and active promotion and marketing."

margareth@korea.kr