Focused on Quarantine and Safety... 'Special Travel Week' from July 1

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 24th that it will hold the 2020 Special Travel Week from July 1 to 19 in cooperation with related organizations such as the Korea Tourism Organization, the Korea Tourism Association Central Council, and local governments.

This year’s travel week slogan is "Cherish the preciousness of everyday life through safe travel." It carries the meaning of commemorating small daily moments through domestic travel while adhering to safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

◆ Spreading quarantine and safe travel culture at travel destinations= The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to focus all efforts on spreading a small-scale safe travel culture that actively avoids the "3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings)" in cooperation with related organizations. On the 15th, Minister Park Yang-woo presided over a meeting of tourism directors from provinces and cities to request cooperation from local governments on quarantine and safety inspections at tourist sites. Additionally, promotional materials on "Safe Travel Guidelines by Travel Route" will be distributed at tourism contact points nationwide, including tourist sites, transportation, and accommodation facilities, and frequent inspections of tourist sites, tourism businesses, and facilities will be conducted.

◆ Recommendations for non-face-to-face travel destinations with 'social distancing in daily life'= Among the 29 "hidden tourist spots" selected each season, the following summer-appropriate destinations are recommended as non-face-to-face (untact) travel spots: ▲ Daebudo Badahyanggi Arboretum (Ansan, Gyeonggi) ▲ Sangdomun Stone Wall Village (Sokcho, Gangwon) ▲ Yedangho Night Music Fountain... Neurin Hosugil (Yesan, Chungnam) ▲ Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge · Gangcheonsan Danwol Night Walk (Sunchang, Jeonbuk) ▲ Treasure Island Observatory · Skywalk (Namhae, Gyeongnam) ▲ Taebaeksan Geumdaebong Course Heavenly Garden (Taebaek, Gangwon).

Before the travel week period, 100 non-face-to-face travel destinations, such as quiet and beautiful spots or places with limited admission, will also be selected and published on the travel week website.

Sixteen recommended daily travel destinations by peer groups suitable for the special travel week have also been prepared. Detailed introductions and travel courses for destinations such as ▲ trips with friends ▲ healing gourmet trips to revive the appetite of tired moms and dads can be found on the travel week website.

Among the recommended destinations, four places will operate small-scale experiential trips with fewer than 20 people, creating safe travel models by maintaining a distance of 2 meters (at least 1 meter), wearing masks, and disinfecting during movement.

◆ Transportation benefits provided= There are also transportation benefits available only during the special travel week. The Korea Railroad Corporation will sell the "Travel Week Rail Pass," which allows four uses of the high-speed train (KTX) during the travel week period, to 10,000 people. The National Express Bus Transport Association will sell the "Travel Week Express Bus Free Pass," which allows unlimited use of express buses for four days excluding Fridays to Sundays during the travel week, to 10,000 people. The Korea Shipping Association offers a "Passenger Ship Discount Pass Seom-euro" that provides a 50% discount on weekdays and 20% on weekends for passenger ship fares during the travel week period, and purchasers will receive one additional pass free of charge. The car-sharing company Socar is conducting a promotion offering the first month’s subscription fee free for new sign-ups to the "Light Pass."

◆ Linked events such as 'Korea Together Sale'= The "Korea Together Sale," which involves major nationwide retailers, small and medium enterprises, traditional markets, and small business owners, will be linked with the travel week to provide related product discount benefits. If you stay at one of the Korea Theme Travel Top 10 destinations and certify it, you will receive a 50,000 KRW National Tourism Gift Certificate. Special discount events at various tourist sites, travel agencies, and accommodation providers can be checked on the travel week website. Prize giveaway events will also be held through the travel week website and social network services (SNS). Detailed information and application methods for various events can be found on the official travel week website.

A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "Although the current COVID-19 situation is severe, the travel week was implemented to disperse the expected surge in summer vacation travel demand in early August and to revitalize domestic tourism, which is facing difficulties." He added, "We ask for your participation in spreading a safe travel culture by enjoying travel while following safety guidelines."