AI to Be Deployed at Mangwon Market and Gyeongju National Park... Pilot Project for Tourism Sites Begins

Korea Tourism Organization Selects Five Companies for Tourism AI Open Innovation
Tourism AI Services to Be Piloted This Year at Traditional Markets and National Parks

The Korea Tourism Organization is launching a pilot project to address issues at local tourism sites, such as traditional markets and national parks, using artificial intelligence (AI).

Group photo of the 2026 Tourism AI Open Innovation Travel X Lab (TRVL-X Lab). Korea Tourism Organization

On June 25, the Korea Tourism Organization announced that it has finalized the selection of five AI service companies to participate in solving on-site tourism challenges through the "2026 Tourism AI Open Innovation Travel X Lab (TRVL-X Lab)."

This initiative is a public-private partnership program led by the Korea Tourism Organization. It is divided into two categories: traditional markets and national parks. The traditional markets category targets six markets from the second cohort of the "K-Tourism Market," which the organization is developing into global tourist attractions. The selected markets are Gyeongdong Market, Danyang Gugyeong Market, Mangwon Market, Suwon Nammun Market, Andong Market Association, and Haeundae Market. The national park category will take place in the Tohamsan District of Gyeongju National Park.

The five selected companies are Deep Fine, Bitsensing, Toart, Triplet, and Flitto. They will conduct on-site pilot projects at each tourism location by the end of this year.

The main tasks consist of four areas: an AI map that provides personalized information and travel routes, AI-based congestion analysis to detect real-time crowded areas, AI multilingual guidance to translate menus and product information, and AI barrier-free services to assist tourists with accessibility needs.

In particular, the AI-based congestion analysis will use vision AI technology to analyze visitor numbers, movement patterns, and dwell times in traditional markets. Through this initiative, the Korea Tourism Organization aims to support the development of data-driven policies to revitalize traditional markets.

Kim Youngmi, Head of the Tourism AI Innovation Division, stated, "By integrating AI technology into major tourism sites with this open innovation project, we expect to significantly enhance convenience and safety for tourists. We will continue to collaborate with technology companies to resolve issues at tourism sites and strive to create an environment where everyone can enjoy travel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.