Gangwon names Gangneung ITS World Congress October's recommended travel destination
In short
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the Gangwon Tourism Foundation said they picked the 2026 Gangneung Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress as October's “special recommended travel destination”. The 32nd ITS World Congress runs from October 19 to 23 at Olympic Park in Gangneung, with participants from about 90 countries, and the province is promoting combined tourism content around it.
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Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the Gangwon Tourism Foundation said on October 6 that they had selected the 2026 Gangneung Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress as October's “special recommended travel destination”, Yonhap reported. The two bodies said they would introduce travel content that lets visitors take in the international event and Gangneung's tourism together. [ 2 ]
The 32nd ITS World Congress will be held from October 19 to 23 at Olympic Park in Gangneung, according to Yonhap, which described it as the world's largest international event related to transport, with participation from about 90 countries. The programme includes academic sessions, an international exhibition, and demonstrations and inspections of advanced transport technology. [ 2 ]
Cultural and side events, including an ice show and a drone show, will run during the congress, Yonhap reported, so that visitors can experience both the international event and Gangneung's culture and tourism. [ 2 ]
The Gangwon Tourism Foundation said it will operate a joint promotional booth during the congress and deploy a mobile promotional vehicle for the Visit Gangwon Year, offering various events to visitors. Its chief executive, Choi Seong-hyeon, said the foundation would actively promote the event so that visitors to Gangneung during the ITS congress can also enjoy tourist sites and content around the region. [ 2 ]
Kukmin Ilbo reported the same designation in a headline identifying the Gangneung ITS World Congress as Gangwon province's specially recommended travel destination for the month; the text of that report was not available. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The designation ties a large international transport conference to regional tourism promotion, with the Gangwon Tourism Foundation planning booths and mobile promotion during the event. A congress drawing participants from roughly 90 countries gives Gangneung and Gangwon province a chance to market local attractions to foreign and domestic visitors.
Key facts
- Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the Gangwon Tourism Foundation selected the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress as October's special recommended travel destination. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 32nd ITS World Congress will be held from October 19 to 23 at Olympic Park in Gangneung. [ 2 ]
- About 90 countries are taking part, according to Yonhap. [ 2 ]
- The programme includes academic sessions, an international exhibition, and demonstrations and inspections of advanced transport technology. [ 2 ]
- Cultural side events including an ice show and a drone show will be held during the congress. [ 2 ]
- The Gangwon Tourism Foundation plans a joint promotional booth and a mobile promotional vehicle for the Visit Gangwon Year. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Gangwon province and its tourism foundation selected the Gangneung ITS World Congress as October's recommended travel destination, and the congress runs October 19-23 at Olympic Park in Gangneung. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The congress is a large international transport event, with around 90 countries participating, and includes academic, exhibition and technology demonstration programmes alongside cultural side events. [ 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the congress is expected to draw a specific number of visitors or deliver a quantified economic benefit to Gangneung. The documents describe an expectation of tourism benefit but give no figures or targets.
- Details of the Kukmin Ilbo report beyond its headline. Only the outlet's title was available; its article text was not provided.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kukmin Ilbo publishes its report on Gangwon's selection of the congress as the month's recommended travel destination. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports that the province and the Gangwon Tourism Foundation selected the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress as October's special recommended travel destination, and details the October 19-23 event. [ 2 ]