50 Days Until the Yeosu World Islands Expo... Islands Become the Exhibition as Extended-Stay Tourism Gains Momentum

Opening on September 5, 61-Day Event Across Yeosu, Geumo Island, and Gae Island
Eight Pavilions, 133 Performances
Expanded Island Experiences Including Camping, Trekking, and Healing Meals
Boosting Local Economy with Stay-Incentives Like Half-Price Ferries and Island Trip Discounts

With just 50 days remaining until its grand opening, the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo has entered its final preparations. As the first event in the world to focus on islands, the expo will be held for 61 days from September 5 to November 4, 2026. The main events will take place at the Dolsan Jinmo District in Yeosu, as well as the Yeosu World Expo Center, and additional events will be hosted on Geumo Island and Gae Island, all under the theme "Connecting Islands, the Sea, and the Future."

Official Poster of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo

The main venue will feature eight pavilions, including the expo's iconic "Theme Island," as well as the Ocean Ecology Island, Future Island, Culture Island, Treasure Island, International Exchange Island, Restaurant & Market Island, and more. At Future Island, visitors can see actual urban air mobility (UAM) aircraft and hydrogen-powered ships on display. The 3,000-seat open culture space will host 13 programs—such as K-pop and trot performances, stages featuring global performance groups, street parades, and island cooking shows—which will take place a total of 133 times during the expo. Key facilities are scheduled for construction completion by the end of this month, followed by trial operations in August.

The most distinctive aspect of this expo is that entire islands are being used as exhibition spaces. At sub-venues Geumo Island and Gae Island, visitors can experience island-specific programs such as Sseom Sseom Camping, Bireong-gil trekking, on-board fishing, island healing meals, yacht tours, and wellness activities—content that can only be enjoyed on real islands. The city of Yeosu will also enhance extended-stay tourism by offering integrated information on sightseeing, accommodations, and transportation across 12 islands, including Ando, Nangdo, Hahwado, and Geomundo.

The organizing committee has prepared a variety of tourism packages, including 2-night, 3-day island trips linked to the expo, Yeosu’s signature sightseeing courses, and yacht tours. Fifteen official travel agencies will be offering related travel products, and there are plans to develop online tours catered to international visitors as well.

Additional measures will be implemented to encourage longer visitor stays. The committee will subsidize 50% of passenger ferry fares at sub-venues, offer the Jeonnam Province "Half-Price Island Trip," and work with Yeosu City to provide incentives for lodging, dining, and purchasing local specialties—all to stimulate local spending. During the expo, nine international cruise voyages are scheduled to dock. Transportation support includes 23 temporary parking lots, free city bus rides toward Dolsan, and a 50% discount at public parking facilities.

Starting with the D-50 milestone, the organizing committee will launch a national publicity campaign. This effort will include a commemorative event at the Yeosu World Expo Center, interactive events at Seoul’s Hykr Ground, an aerial advertising blimp in Haeundae, Busan, and a promotional area at Yeosu Airport. The expo will also be featured in nationwide convenience stores and on 607 screens in cinemas across the Seoul metropolitan area and Busan.

Secretary General Kim Jonggi said, "What sets the Islands Expo apart is that the islands themselves serve as both the exhibition and experience venues. We will do our utmost to ensure that the entire Yeosu area becomes an expo venue, ready to welcome all visitors."

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