Digital festival butler service in Korea enhances cultural tourism experience
A new digital festival butler service has been introduced in Korea by the Korea Tourism Organization and Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. This service, called Chukjipsa, or “festival butler,” is designed to enhance visitors’ experiences at cultural tourism festivals by offering assistance in navigating through them more comfortably. After undergoing a trial period last year, Chukjipsa is now fully operational and accessible through a website that can be accessed via on-site QR code scans. The primary goal of this service is to address common festival-related issues such as traffic congestion, limited parking availability, and inadequate food ordering systems.
Chukjipsa is exclusively available in Korean and employs AI cameras to analyze crowd density. Real-time updates on a map are provided using a five-tier scale indicating crowd levels from relaxed to overcrowded. An interactive smart map allows festivalgoers to access information about booth locations, scheduled programs, and amenities that are subject to change based on date and time. Unlike traditional maps that merely display fixed facility locations, this smart map allows users to choose specific information of interest and check crowd levels in advance, ultimately enhancing their festival experience.
The service also offers the convenience of checking parking availability beforehand, as well as the option to place and pay for food orders at vendor booths using mobile phones. In addition, Chukjipsa provides valuable accessibility information such as wheelchair rental locations, accessible toilets, and barrier-free paths. Festival attendees will be able to utilize Chukjipsa at major events like the Busan International Rock Festival, Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, and Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival.
Kim Gwang-sik, the head of regional tourism development at the Korea Tourism Organization, emphasizes the importance of Chukjipsa in promoting local events in a safer and more convenient manner. He envisions continued support for initiatives that contribute to the revitalization of regional festivals. With Chukjipsa, festivalgoers can look forward to a more streamlined and enjoyable experience at cultural tourism events.