Incheon International Airport Corp. has been giving more details about its plan to host a leading museum at Incheon Airport, the largest airport in South Korea. Incheon is already home a branch of the National Museum of Korea but also aims to add a world-renowned brand like the Musee d’Orsay or the Louvre in the future.
While a bid to commission research into the proposal failed in September 2021, the company put out another tender in December and a feasibility study will begin in February.
“The potential sites include Terminal 2, which will be a relatively small scale, or the landmark complex which will be built at the current parking lot space near Terminal 1. As another option, we are also considering establishing a separate building dedicated to the new museum,” an airport official told The Korea Herald.
The rise of traveltainment
Incheon International Airport is already home to several cultural attractions. Visitors passing through can enjoy giant artworks and sculptures, media art, performances, exhibitions, and several experience centres inspired by Korean culture. In addition, there is also a location-based VR experience at Incheon, by leading VR entertainment platform AmazeVR, as well as a skating rink, golf course and driving range.
Recently, Kim Kyung-wook, president of Incheon International Airport Corporation, spoke more about the airport’s strategy around offering cultural experiences while addressing a symposium held inside the France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
During the event, hosted by museum consultancy France Museums, he said that the aim is to complete research on feasibility for the new museum by the first half of the year and come up with details by the end of the year. The airport will also be constructing new storage space for artworks, in a separate project.
Kim also announced a plan to build storage space at the airport which will be used to accommodate artworks, offering a space for art collectors. The storage space will be established by 2026 as a separate project from the global museum.
Traveltainment is a rising trend and Incheon is not the only airport to be adding attractions. For example, Singapore’s Changi Airport is home to the Jewel entertainment destination, featuring the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, Japan’s Chubu Centrair International Airport includes an airport theme park and Munich International Airport offers its own microbrewery.
The National Museum of Korea inside Incheon International Airport (image courtesy Incheon International Airport Corp.)
