GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

Gangneung City won the Tourism for All (TA) Award at the PATA Gold Awards 2024 organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in recognition of its Barrier-Free Tourism City Project.

 The project is based on an inclusive tourism policy to create a travel environment where all tourists, including those with disabilities, can move between tourist destinations, use facilities, and access information without restrictions.

 The award ceremony was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (Bangkok, Thailand) on Wednesday, September 28 during PATA Travel Mart 2024, and Gangneung became the first Korean municipality to receive the award.

 The Tourism for All Award at the PATA Gold Awards is awarded to a project that provides accessibility and opportunities for vulnerable groups in society, including people with disabilities, and the winner is selected based on an evaluation of the objectives, social impact, and effectiveness of the project among other considerations.

 Gangneung City, selected for the Barrier-Free Tourism City Creation Project of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea and the Korea Tourism Organization in 2022, has been improving facilities and operating programs for those who normally face difficulties traveling alongside the Gangneung Tourism Development Corporation.

 This is the second award for the city following the National Tourism Award at the 1st Korea Tourism Policy Awards organized by the Korea Tourism Policy Research Association last year.

 “Winning [the TA Award at the] PATA Gold Awards will serving as an opportunity for Gangneung’s barrier-free tourism initiatives to be made known worldwide. […] We will continue to do our best to ensure that everyone can enjoy travel our city freely,” said Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-kyu. ​