The Problems of Tourism of Gangneung City

 in Gangwon Province

By Kim Young Ik & Marina

First of all I want to say that I am very glad to come Gangneung. Because it is my first time in this city. So I can estimate all advantages and disadvantages of this citry. I can tell a lot about tourism sightings of Gangneung because there are a lot of really beautiful places, places for taking a rest and everybody knows it. That's why I want to notice some problems which I faced myself as a foreign tourist. Of course, it is just my own opinion, but I hope that it would be useful for getting tourism situation in Kangnung better. So, I want to say about 4 groups of problems. There are: information services, banking services, transport problems and infrastructure.

In the first problem(information)- it's notable that there is no tourist information services of Gangneung.

It is hard for tourists to get from one place to another, especially when tourist comes here for the first time. For example, it is quite difficult to find city maps and guide books, when you have just arrived to Gagneung. You can't get to know where to go and what to see. Of course, there is a lot of beautiful sightseeing, but if you don't know the city, you can't find anything.

Also, there’s another kind of information problems, concerning life safety. It means, that foreign tourists face some problems, when complicated life circumstances occur with them. If they want to apply to police or hospital, it gets a great deal, especially if tourist doesn't know Korean. Most of people, working in organizations, serving tourists, can't speak English.

Next problem I want to mention is banking services. Foreign tourists often suffer problems when they use cash machines, because it is very difficult to find the one, which is capable to get a foreign card. in Gangneung. Also I'd like to say that foreign people have some problems with money exchange, because all banks in Korea are closed on weekends and their working hours are limited. Besides that they can't use dollars in shops.

Another group of troubles is connected with transport. The main problem is that tourists are able to use buses only till 11 p.m., while a lot of people are walking during all the night. Taxi drivers can’t equipment to make speak English, so it is very difficult to get somewhere in Gangneung.

Also there is no special bus route, that is why we can't easy visit all city tourism places.

Last group of problems is concerned with infrastructure. Places of entertainment are very important for tourists. It is difficult for foreigner to make a haircut, to wash clothes in laundry etc. Besides that I want to add, that beaches in Gangneung are not provided by modern equipment to let tourists enjoy comfortable rest.

In conclusion I'd like to suggest some points for city administration about improving tourism in Gangneung. First of all it is necessary to establish special tourist information centre with high-qualified staff, knowing English. I think it would be comfortable for tourists to get guide-books and maps of Gangneung easy, for example, in taxi, buses or supermarkets. Of course, these guide books and boards on the streets should be in English too.

Next point is to solve banking service problems. So I suggest organizing special places, where foreigners can easily change their national money and get cash from foreign credit cards. These centres may be situated in major sightseeing places, department stores etc.

I think,  that problem of transport can be decided by promotion of special city tour bus. So it will be very easy and interesting for tourists to see all sightseeing of Gangneung from this bus.

As to infrastructure, it is desirable to enlarge number of entertainment places, such as casino, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and so on.

At the end of my report I want to say, that if all my suggestions are realized, Gangneung will become more beautiful, more successful and more interesting city for foreign tourists.