The Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Chan-dae) is holding the 2026 Incheon Tourism Souvenir Competition to discover flagship tourism souvenirs that capture the region’s history and culture, with entries opening on Oct. 12. Winning works will receive a combined 8 million won in prize money along with practical support for commercialization and market development.
 [코리안투데이] A promotional notice for the 2026 Incheon Tourism Souvenir Competition © 장형임 기자 |
Incheon said it organized the competition to discover and nurture flagship tourism souvenirs that can promote the city to domestic and international visitors, drawing on the region’s unique characteristics — including its history, culture, traditions and major tourist sites — as well as the city’s official character brand. The aim is to keep visitors coming through products that embody the region’s distinct identity and to link this to revitalizing the local economy.
Eligible entries include all commercialized products that domestic and international tourists can actually purchase, such as crafts, manufactured goods, processed and functional foods, local specialties and hybrid products. Entry is open to businesses that hold a business registration in the Incheon area as of the date of the public notice, and each business may submit up to three items.
Each entry’s individual retail price must not exceed 100,000 won including value-added tax, and its dimensions are limited to within 30cm each in width, length and height. Products must also have the Republic of Korea as their final country of origin.
Entries will be accepted over five days, from Oct. 12 to 16. Businesses wishing to take part should prepare the required documents, including an application form and product description, and submit them in person along with the actual entry at the Incheon Tourism Association (4 Yeonanbudu-ro 53beon-gil, Jemulpo-gu).
Through a fair review, Incheon will select a total of seven works — one Grand Prize (3 million won), one Best Award (2 million won), one Excellence Award (1 million won) and four Encouragement Awards (500,000 won each) — awarding a combined 8 million won in prize money along with certificates. The final winning works will be announced on Oct. 23 through the Incheon Tourism Association website.
Beyond prize money, winning businesses will receive support to enhance their products’ marketability and expand their sales channels. Benefits include expert consulting, product-improvement training, promotion and marketing support, display and sales support at Incheon tourist information centers, and recommendation as a candidate for the Korea Tourism Organization’s Must-Buy Item program. The city says it intends to back the products so they lead to actual sales rather than a one-off award.
Kim Young-shin, director-general of the city’s International Cooperation Bureau, said, ‘We hope capable local businesses will show great interest and take active part, so that outstanding tourism souvenirs embodying Incheon’s charm and stories can be discovered and lead to genuine tourism revitalization.’
For more details about the competition and submission document forms, visit the Incheon Tourism Association website (www.inta.or.kr) or contact the Incheon Tourism Association (☎ 032-762-8000).
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 인천강화코리안브랜드대상 신청 최고경영인대상 신청 소비자만족도대상 신청
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