Gyeonggi Province, Korea's largest local autonomous entity, is hoping to attract tourists from around the world with its new project, "Visit Gyeonggi-Korea 2005." The province offers great natural beauty - exemplified by the well-preserved ecosystem of the demilitarized zone - and many historic sites such as the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, which is registered on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list.

Almost half the nation's population resides in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Gyeonggi Province, with a population of more than 10 million, is a massive tourism resource, which also plays a pivotal role in the Seoul metropolitan area. In an age when local areas lead national developments, Gyeonggi Province accounts for about one-fourth of the nation's economy and one-sixth of its tourism industry.

Gyeonggi Province has launched 16 unique new tour programs to encourage visitors to the region next year. Among the new tour programs are free tours of the Demilitarized Zone for transit passengers with more than a six-hour wait at nearby Incheon International Airport. Other tour program include the eye-catching "Korea Ceramic Pilgrimage with Artists, “ which starts with an exploration of the Royal Porcelain Museum and culminates with a visit to a local pottery village where visitors can make their own ceramics. In addition to the new tour programs, the province is preparing year-round international festivals, including the World Ceramic Biennale from April through June, the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in July and the World Peace Festival in October near the demilitarized zone. For more information on Gyeonggi Province, visit www.visit2005.com.