In the face of growing concerns about population decline and rural extinction, Shinan-gun in Jeollanam-do of Korea is drawing attention as a successful case by holding theme-based flower festivals that utilize the islands resources. In response to thi...
In the face of growing concerns about population decline and rural extinction, Shinan-gun in Jeollanam-do of Korea is drawing attention as a successful case by holding theme-based flower festivals that utilize the islands resources. In response to this, this study was conducted to investigate and analyze the types, dates, periods, locations, flowers used, number of opening rounds, and number of visitors to related programs of flower festivals held in Shinan-gun in 2023. There were 11 flower festivals, and the total festival period, including overlapping periods between festivals was 219 days. The flower festival locations were held in 2 towns and 7 districts, utilizing 64.3% of the countys 14 town and district administrative districts. Three of the festival locations were islands that required the use of ferries. The number of opening rounds for flower festivals was 3 or less for 72.8% of them. The main flowers used in the flower festivals were 11 species: daffodil, tulip, rapeseed, orchid, lavender, scutellaria barbata, hydrangea, hibiscus, daylily, marigold, and camellia japonica. Flower festival-related programs included the sale of seeds, pots, and other products of the flowers featured in the festival. Ten of the flower festivals had fewer than 100,000 visitors, but the total number of visitors exceeded 350,000. Therefore, the flower festivals in Sinan County were analyzed to have contributed to the regional tourism activation by serving as a model for local festivals that promote regional balance through decentralized hosting, monopolize the promotional issue of flowers throughout the year through year-round hosting and expand the range of choices for tourists.