Seoul's nighttime Han River events fuel local economy

Seoul's nightly events along the Han River have proven to be a boon to the local economy, according to officials. The "Han River Night Camping" program, held at Yeouido and Ttukseom Han River parks from August 1 to August 30, attracted 11,476 people over the course of its six-week run. This figure represents a significant boost to the area's economic activity.

The program allowed participants to pitch tents from 5 pm until 9 am, providing a unique blend of riverside scenery and summer heat relief. Attendees could enjoy dining options and the tranquility of the river during their overnight stay. A survey of 1,106 participants revealed an overwhelming 94.7% desire for the program's return next year, alongside 80.1% satisfaction with their experience.

Furthermore, 90.1% of respondents acknowledged that the program contributed to the promotion of nighttime leisure and bolstered the local economy.

Commercial areas surrounding Yeouido, Ttukseom, and Mangwon experienced a notable surge in nighttime pedestrian traffic, with an impressive 66% increase. This uptick in foot traffic, as analyzed through payment data from four major credit card companies, suggests a thriving economic impact from the nighttime leisure activities encouraged by the river camping program.