Yeoju City Embraces ‘Tone-on-Tone’ Tourism Strategy to Attract 6 Million Visitors
Yeoju City, South Korea, is implementing a unique tourism strategy centered around a “tone-on-tone” color scheme, aiming to unify the city’s image and boost visitor numbers to 6 million annually. The initiative builds upon the success of the Yeoju Namhan River Suspension Bridge, which attracted over 2 million visitors in its first year of operation.
A Colorful Approach to Tourism
The city’s approach involves assigning a dominant color theme to each two-month period: green for March and April, yellow for May and June, blue for July and August, orange for September and October, and magenta for November and December. This color scheme will be integrated into festivals, events, and promotional materials, creating a cohesive visual identity for Yeoju tourism.
The Impact of the Namhan River Suspension Bridge
Opened last year, the Yeoju Namhan River Suspension Bridge quickly became a popular attraction, drawing 1 million visitors within a month and exceeding 2 million by the end of the year. The bridge’s impact extended to local businesses, with restaurant sales increasing by approximately 2 billion won and retail sales by around 2.6 billion won in the six months following its opening.
The ‘YEOJU’ Sculpture: A Symbolic Landmark
A large, three-dimensional sculpture spelling out “YEOJU” has been erected near the Namhan River Suspension Bridge. Each letter is colored to align with the seasonal theme – yellow (Y), blue (E), orange (O), green (J), and red (U) – and is intended to serve as a prominent photo opportunity and a symbol of Yeoju’s tourism brand.
‘Tone-on-Tone’ Explained
According to Han Ji-yeon, Manager of Yeoju City’s Culture and Sports Department, the “tone-on-tone” concept involves using variations in brightness and saturation within the same color family to create a sense of unity. The city aims to leverage this technique to enhance brand awareness and coordinate existing tourism efforts without significant additional investment.
‘Colorful Days’ Program
The city is implementing a “Colorful Days” program, operating five times a year in conjunction with existing festival schedules. Dedicated booths will be set up at festivals to promote the program’s purpose and the beauty of each event.
Upcoming Festivals and Color Themes
- April: Heungcheon Namhangang Cherry Blossom Festival (green)
- May: Pottery Festival (yellow)
- Summer: Water Park (blue)
- October: Ogoknaru Festival (orange)
- November: Gangcheon Island Healing Culture Festival (magenta)
Yeoju City is optimistic that this innovative approach will revitalize tourism and achieve its goal of attracting 6 million visitors per year.
Source: Kyeongin Ilbo – https://www.kyeongin.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2026022050000000001