Dongbaek and Sehwa, the two main tourist villages of the Kareum Stay brand on the island of Jeju, have been designated as outstanding examples of global gastronomic tourism.
The Special Autonomous Province of Jeju and the Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO) presented both peoples on June 26 at the inaugural United Nations Regional Forum on Gastronomic Tourism for Asia and the Pacific, held in Cebu, Philippines.
In this way Jeju, the largest volcanic island in South Korea, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and the country’s main tourist destination, once again presents a novelty for those who want to visit it. Well, not only does it stand out for its temperate climate next to beaches, waterfalls, cliffs and caves of incomparable scenic beauty, but it has also now been awarded for its gastronomy.
As representatives of the gastronomic tourism of Jeju, Sehwa and Dongbaek were included in the list of the Best Tourist Villages of the World Tourism Organization. Both were the only ones of the 130 on the list to be invited to the forum.
The World Tourism Organization focused on the traditional cuisines and culture of these two peoples in a session on case studies of regional innovation.
In the case of Sehwa, located in the town of Gujwa-eup, the organization shared Jeju’s unique cultural heritage and its gastronomic tourism, including a country meal, meals and drinks with local specialties such as carrots and potatoes, and a cultural dinner in which they highlighted the stories and performances related to the haenyeo (women divers) of the town.
Dongbaek, located in the town of Namwon-eup, was described as an example of healthy village cuisine in Jeju, highlighting dishes such as the native camellia menu, country food in the Dongbaek Garden and seasonal fern pasta.
Idoia Calleja, director of the Basque Culinary Center, a culinary research and education foundation based in Spain, who chaired the session, said that she saw the uniqueness of Jeju through its examples of gastronomic tourism included in the list of the Best Tourist Villages of the United Nations (UN).
“The gastronomic tourism on the island of Jeju is a journey to experience the wisdom and spirit of its inhabitants,” said a JTO source. “Jeju’s local food, passed down from generation to generation, is really a healing menu to relieve tired bodies and minds,” he concluded.