North Gyeongsang signs MOU with Chosun Hotels for 5-star hotel in Andong new town
In short
North Gyeongsang Province signed a memorandum of understanding on 22 October with Chosun Hotels & Resorts (조선호텔앤리조트), Andong city and the provincial development corporation to build a five-star hotel in the provincial government's new town in Andong. The province and the hotel company also signed a separate business agreement on hotel and hospitality industries.
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North Gyeongsang Province signed a memorandum of understanding on 22 October to build a five-star hotel in the provincial government's new town in Andong, Yonhap reported. The signing took place at the provincial office with Chosun Hotels & Resorts (조선호텔앤리조트), Andong city and the Gyeongbuk provincial development corporation. [ 2 , 3 ]
The province and Chosun Hotels & Resorts also signed a separate business agreement on activating hotel and hospitality industries. The two sides will cooperate on expanding investment in hotels and tourist lodging and on promoting the food, dining, tourism and MICE industries. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to Yonhap and Seoul Shinmun, the province plans to attract the Chosun Hotel brand to Andong and expand lodging infrastructure. It also intends to build a stay-oriented tourism ecosystem linked to the region's World Heritage sites, traditional culture and food. [ 2 , 3 ]
Newsis, in a report published before the signing, said about 30 people were expected at the ceremony, including Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Chosun Hotels & Resorts chief executive Choi Hoon-hak (최훈학), Andong mayor Kwon Ki-chang (권기창) and development corporation president Lee Jae-hyuk (이재혁). It said the five-star hotel will stand next to Homin Pond, where the Stanford Hotel now is. [ 1 ]
Newsis said the province expects a five-star hotel to lengthen tourists' stays, raise local spending and create a new base for tourism in the north of the province. A provincial official was quoted as saying that if four- and five-star hotels stand side by side, the new town could become a northern tourism hub comparable to Bomun Tourist Complex, linked with the nearby Gyeongbuk library and art museum. [ 1 ]
Lee said the province would actively attract a hotel brand that represents South Korea and grow Gyeongbuk into a new stay-oriented tourism hub. Yonhap also quoted him as saying it is important to create an environment where visitors can stay, eat, enjoy themselves and do business in Gyeongbuk. [ 1 , 2 ]
Seoul Shinmun added that the four-star Stanford Hotel Andong has operated in the new town since 2014. It said the hotel has nine floors and 150 guest rooms. None of the documents gives an investment amount or a construction schedule for the new hotel. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The province says it wants to expand lodging and build a stay-oriented tourism base in the north of the region. The documents give no investment amount or construction schedule, so the practical effect is not yet clear.
Key facts
- On 22 October the province signed an MOU on creating a five-star hotel in the Gyeongbuk provincial government new town with Chosun Hotels & Resorts, Andong city and the Gyeongbuk provincial development corporation. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The province and Chosun Hotels & Resorts also signed a business agreement to expand investment in hotels and tourist lodging and to promote the food, dining, tourism and MICE industries. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The province plans to bring the Chosun Hotel brand to Andong, expand lodging infrastructure and build a stay-oriented tourism ecosystem linked to World Heritage sites, traditional culture and food. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Newsis reported that the hotel will stand next to Homin Pond, where the Stanford Hotel is now. [ 1 ]
- Governor Lee Cheol-woo (이철우) said the province would actively attract a hotel brand that represents South Korea and grow the area into a new stay-oriented tourism hub. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A four-star Stanford Hotel Andong with 150 guest rooms has operated in the new town since 2014. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The province signed an MOU on 22 October with Chosun Hotels & Resorts, Andong city and the provincial development corporation to create a five-star hotel in the new town. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The province and Chosun Hotels & Resorts signed a separate business agreement on hotel and hospitality industry activation. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Investment amount, size and construction schedule of the hotel. None of the documents gives these details.
- The hotel's exact site next to Homin Pond. Only Newsis gives the location.
- Expected effects such as longer tourist stays and more local spending. These are the province's expectations, reported by Newsis, not results.