[Feature] Yeosu World Island Expo Draws 2.5 Million Visitors... Must Become a Future Hub for 'Global Island Exchange'

Visitor numbers rise as content is enhanced and the visitor experience improves
Focus needed on expanding island tourism and exchanges after the expo closes

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo wrapped up its 61-day run on November 4, following concerns raised during preparations and controversies over operations in its early days. Held under the theme “Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,” the expo welcomed visitors with expanded exhibitions, hands-on activities and cultural performances. It drew approximately 2.5 million visitors by the day before closing, salvaging some of its pride.

Min Hyung-bae, mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, performs a lighting drone ceremony at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, held on the open-air stage at the expo's main venue on September 5. Photo provided by Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City.

Although the total fell short of the original target of 3 million, the expo increased attendance despite its difficult start and provided an opportunity to confirm the potential of using islands as tourism resources. Attention is now focused on turning the visitor traffic and exchanges generated during the event into lasting tourism assets for Yeosu.

◆A journey that began amid concerns over preparations

The expo drew attention even before it opened, amid questions about its state of readiness. In April, a promotional video filmed at the site and posted by Kim Seontae, a former public official turned YouTuber, raised interest in the event while also prompting concerns about preparations for its facilities and content. The venue, which should have been bustling with activity, looked like an empty lot, leading some to ask, “Are they really preparing properly?” Angry comments asking, “Where did the more than 70 billion won in budget go?” spread across online communities, and the expo came in for criticism from the outset.

After the expo opened in September, the lineup of exhibitions and hands-on programs, food options and staging of performances became subjects of controversy. YouTubers flocked to the venue, seemingly competing with one another, and repeatedly pointed out problems, including the price of soy sauce-marinated crab set meals and the staging of a Geomundo boat song performance using a cargo truck. The event’s negative image deepened.

A view of the exhibit introducing Korea's islands at the Yeosu World Island Expo venue. Photo by Sim Jinseok

◆Strengthening content with more performances and hands-on activities and refreshed exhibitions

The expo’s main exhibition hall comprised eight spaces: the Themed Island, Marine Ecology Island, Future Island, Culture Island, International Exchange Island and Treasure Island, as well as an Island-Themed Video area and a special performance venue. The organizers also focused on expanding visitor amenities, setting up seven information facilities, including three general information centers and four ticket offices; 22 sales facilities, including convenience stores, cafes and food trucks; and 45 restroom units across 10 locations.

The aim was to present the islands’ ecology, culture and future in a variety of ways, while encouraging visitors to stay at the venue and enjoy the exhibitions and hands-on activities.

However, the negative image that emerged early in the event was reflected in low attendance. The organizing committee responded by expanding weekend performances and hands-on programs and improving content for international visitors and visitor convenience. It moved beyond simple exhibitions on the theme of islands and expanded participatory programs, including cultural events and performances for visitors to watch and enjoy.

An information board explaining Korea's island culture. Photo by Shim Jinseok.

It also offered free admission to families accompanied by children, a special promotion rarely seen at other event venues.

On October 6, just after the expo had passed its halfway point, organizers made a bold move: they closed the venue for a day and carried out a major overhaul for the second half of the event. The overseas local government pavilion was refreshed with exhibits from 17 countries and local governments, including Hawaii in the United States, Havana in Cuba, Zanzibar in Tanzania and Kochi in Japan. They also added landscape lighting and heating facilities to improve the overall experience.

These changes were part of an effort to adjust the content and operations during the event in response to visitor feedback and seasonal conditions.

◆Fall holiday crowds lead to 1 million visitors

These efforts to make changes coincided with the fall holiday period and led to an increase in visitors.

According to figures compiled by the organizing committee, a total of 217,235 visitors attended the main and secondary venues over just three days, from October 3 to 5. This marked a major turning point, given that cumulative attendance since the expo opened in September had stood at 718,840.

As visitors continued to come to enjoy both performances and exhibitions, cumulative attendance surpassed 1 million on October 10, gaining further momentum. Nineteen days after the first 1 million visitors, cumulative attendance topped 2 million on October 29. As of November 3, the day before closing, the total had risen to 2,502,594, or about 83.4% of the original target of 3 million.

◆Encounters that shared island cultures and possibilities

The expo shared stories of islands at its main venue in the Jinmo District of Dolsan, the Yeosu World Expo site, and areas around Gaedo and Geumodo. Exhibitions, performances and on-site activities gave visitors a way to experience not only the islands’ natural environments but also their everyday life and culture.

The event once again demonstrated that islands can be used as tourism resources. In particular, the experience of introducing island cultures from various countries and regions through the expo provides Yeosu with a valuable foundation for continuing international exchanges through its islands.

The organizing committee plans to continue the international island forum after the expo and explore ways to make effective use of the venue. Connecting exhibition and hands-on content with local tourism and developing programs that lead visitors to the islands could help sustain the interest generated by the expo.

To do so, the organizers will need to develop concrete plans for using and maintaining the facilities and establish an operational framework that enables local residents and the tourism industry to participate. Transparently settling the project’s expenses and disclosing the event’s results will also help build trust in future projects.

Launched amid controversy and high expectations, the Yeosu World Island Expo completed its 61-day run while making adjustments to its operations. Attention now turns to whether the visitor interest and cultural exchange generated during the event will continue to bring people to Yeosu’s islands after the expo closes.

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