In the span of four days, Gyeongju will host the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), where 20,000 delegates from 21 member economies will join business leaders and high-profile figures to attend the event. The hospitality sector within Gyeongju has already started making significant enhancements before the arrival of the attendees. APCC Meetings showcases the city's diverse history and culture while allowing guests to enjoy South Korean hospitality, which is truly an achievement in Gyeongju's history.
Gyeongju's preparation for the event has seen a number of renovations as the city has seen the introduction of 35 new presidential suites and an estimated 13,000 standard guest rooms. This has stemmed from 12 prominent hotel chains in the region improving their services and amenities. This bolstered Gyeongju's reputation as a city which accommodates international visitors and offers them the best available services.
Additions to Hotel Upgrades and New Offerings in Luxury
The most notable new addition in Gyeongju is the newly modified Lahan Select Gyeongju, one of the city's two five-star hotels located inside the Bomun Tourist Complex, which recently completed renovations. The hotel has recently released two exclusive presidential suites, the 290 square meter 'East' suite and the 182 square meter 'West' suite, both of which are replicas of the Imhaejeon Silla dynasty royal villa. The suites' royal villa design combines traditional Korean and modern architecture for an extraordinary experience delegates will remember long after the summit concludes.
Yet another of the area's key hotels, The Sono Calm Gyeongju, has completed a renovation to the tune of approximately 170 billion Korean won ($119 million). The renovation to the hotel's top-floor banquet hall, which has been transformed into multiple luxurious spaces, is accompanied by the addition of two new presidential suites. With their gorgeous views of Bomun Lake, the rooms provide delegates with a relaxing and productive atmosphere. Designed to accommodate key delegates from multiple global economies, these suites are part of the hotel's complete redesign, which also features an elevation of the dining experience that highlights locally sourced, authentic Korean cuisine in order to meet the needs of international clientele.
Similar to Hilton Gyeongju and Kolon Hotel Gyeongju, which focus on renovations to satisfy APEC delegates, other hotels in the region are also seeking to polish their services and better their amenities to enhance international standards. As an example, Kolon Hotel, which focuses on the hospitality industry, has added two new suites for the storing of heads of business and state, and Hilton Gyeongju smartly redecorates and renovates its presidential suites and two of its banquet halls.
Accommodations have also improved due to the steep, expected rise of demand for the APEC Summit. Resorts and guesthouses in Gyeongju have begun to enhance services to match international standards. Many of these smaller establishments have taken the Augmented Progress to improve their services, contracted rooms, and repaired amenities due to the international tourists. A locally owned business is aiming to improve service delivery to guests to offer guest the seamless illusion of no work for service.
Further, beyond the nearing full-occupancy status for hotel rooms in the Gyeongju region, there is available planning for alternative accommodations during the APEC summit. Two cruise ships, one a 70,000-ton vessel containing 850 rooms, the other a 26,000-ton vessel holding 250 rooms, will be arriving at Pohang Yeongilman Port for delegates and attendees. Uniquely, these ships will be stationed at the port, providing delegates with an alternative lodging experience termed the floating hotel during the summit.
Enhancements and Security of the Infrastructure
The prioritisation of infrastructure and security improvement since Gyeongju will be hosting 20,000 delegates is also in the top priorities. The event is to be secured as well as managed well from an event coordination perspective by the Ministry of Public Safety and Security. They will deploy over 18,500 officers for each event to provide support via SWAT, helicopters and anti-drone targeting. They will defend and cover the traffic routes of delegates and journalistic personnel to and from venues with SCM and other peripheral equipment.
The main venue of the summit at Gyeongju, Hwabaek International Convention Centre, has new carpets and waterproofing of the roof as well as new audiovisual gear. This is to ensure the event goes on without a hitch. The centre shall be able to serve over 4000 journalists on the site, during the event, to provide and serve them with broadcasting and news coverage from special constructed stands. The immense investments in infrastructure of the country speak for themselves. South Korea is ready for the APEC summit to be held, mildly productive and highly secure.
An Integrated Cultural Encounter for Attendees and Sightseers
As Gyeongju gets ready for APEC 2025, it also has plenty of cultural and historical sites for delegates to explore during free time. Often called the "museum without walls," Gyeongju has over 1,000 years of history. The city was the capital of the Silla kingdom and has UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and Gyeongju Historic Areas, each testament to Korea's proud past.
Delegates can also visit the Gyeongju National Museum, which exhibits Silla Dynasty artifacts and reflects the area's ancient civilisation. Anapji Pond is also nearby, and its lovely setting is a perfect place to rest and enjoy a fine example of Korean traditional architecture. These cultural and historical sites help enrich a delegate's stay in Gyeongju, giving them a part of their stay that is sure to be remembered.
Conclusion
It has been concluded that Gyeongju will be fully prepared for the 2025 APEC summit due to the readiness of the city's hotels and world-class infrastructure. Gyeongju also offers exquisite and sophisticated hotel rooms, plush presidential suites and other excellent facilities to meet the requirements of foreign visitors. Gyeongju's history, infrastructure, and high level security will ensure the summit will go smoothly, highlighting South Korean culture and modern developments. APEC 2025 will also be the pride of South Korea's ability to future international events.