Arts tourism : a case study on the Hongdae cultural district in Seoul

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study investigates a niche area in cultural tourism in Korea – that of arts-motivated tourism. With a focus on the Hongdae cultural district, the study strives to fill a gap in existing literature by exploring mindsets and in-precinct behaviours of non-Korean visitors who are attracted to various forms of free and paid arts in the study area. It also seeks to understand how such visitors evaluate the precinct and their overall satisfaction in this country as a result of their arts experiences. The results stem from 12 semi-structured interviews with arts-motivated non-Koreans residing in Seoul, and found a number of common traits as well as variations in their perceptions and experiences. A number of recommendations were also made for further improvements of the precinct.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Abstract VII
• Acknowledgement VIII
• 1. Introduction 1
• 1.1 Background of the Study 1
• 1.2 Problem Statement 3
• 1.3 Thesis Proposition 3
• 1.4 Purpose of the Study 4
• 1.5 Research Questions 5
• 2. Literature Review 5
• 2.1 Culture and Arts Tourism 6
• 2.1.1 Definition of Culture and Arts 6
• 2.1.2 Cultural vs Arts Tourism 6
• 2.1.3 Arts Tourism in Seoul 9
• 2.1.4 Public Art and Tourism 9
• 2.2 Tourist Precincts 10
• 2.2.1 Definition and Related Studies 10
• 2.2.2 Tourists’ Experiences in Precincts 11
• 2.2.3 ‘Placeness’ and Visit Intentions 11
• 2.3 Cultural Districts 12
• 2.3.1 Definition 12
• 2.3.2 Cultural Districts in Seoul 12
• 2.4 The Hongdae Precinct 13
• 2.4.1 A Historical Overview of the Hongdae Precinct 13
• 2.4.2 Hongdae as a Cultural District – Defining the Hongdae Culture 14
• 2.4.3 Efforts to Promote the Hongdae Arts Scene 14
• 2.5 Summary 16
• 3. Methodology 16
• 3.1 Interview Approach 16
• 3.2 Sampling 16
• 3.3 Study Participants 17
• 3.4 Study Location 19
• 3.4.1 Area Under Study 19
• 3.4.2 Subjects of Discussion 19
• 3.5 Data Collection Method 23
• 3.6 Data Analysis 25
• 4. Findings and Discussion 26
• 4.1 Characteristics of Arts-Motivated Visitors to Hongdae 26
• 4.1.1 Arts Interests 27
• 4.1.2 Existing Arts Inclination 30
• 4.1.3 Arts Experiences in Korea 32
• 4.1.4 Perception of Arts in Korea 33
• 4.2 In-Precinct Behaviors, Experiences and Motivations of Arts-Motivated Visitors 36
• 4.2.1 Behaviours and Experiences 36
• 4.2.2 Motivations 44
• 4.3 Assessment of the Hongdae Precinct by Arts-Motivated Visitors 46
• 4.3.1 Assessment of Physical Layout 47
• 4.3.2 Key Area Attributes and Positive Traits 49
• 4.3.3 Negative Traits 54
• 4.3.4 Suggestions for Improvement 56
• 4.3.5 Overall Assessment on Hongdae 58
• 4.3.6 Information Sources 60
• 4.3.7 Pre and Post-Visit Precinct Impression 61
• 4.3.8 Likelihood of Recommendation 61
• 4.4 Assessment of Impacts of Arts Experiences on Overall Touristic Satisfaction 62
• 4.4.1 New Insights into Korea 62
• 4.4.2 Better Appreciation of Korean Culture 63
• 4.4.3 Positive Experience 64
• 4.4.4 A More Localised Experience 64
• 5. Conclusion 64
• 5.1 Implications 67
• 5.2 Future Research 69
• References 70
• Appendix 1: Draft of semi-structured interview guide 75