Additional 40 Billion Support for Tourism Industry... Safety Travel Campaign Instead of Autumn Travel Week

A citizen visiting Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul, is enjoying the autumn atmosphere under the trees turning colors. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government is launching a campaign to encourage safe travel instead of the autumn travel week. An additional 40 billion won will be provided to the tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced, "With social distancing recently lowered to level 1 and the autumn foliage season approaching, the public's travel demand is increasing," adding, "We will run a safe travel campaign until the end of the year to ensure that people can travel as safely as possible."

Previously, the autumn travel week offered various programs and discount benefits for two weeks around this time every year, but this year, considering the COVID-19 situation, the focus has shifted to a safe travel campaign.

Travel under social distancing level 1 emphasizes the core rules of 'small groups or family units, visiting less crowded tourist spots, and following quarantine guidelines.' The Ministry plans to focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19 at travel destinations through campaign advertisements and events. It will also conduct frequent inspections of tourist sites in cooperation with local governments and regional tourism associations.

Various Programs Implemented for Contactless and Dispersed Travel

The Ministry will promote 100 autumn contactless tourist spots where people can maintain a 'two-arm safety distance' to help disperse travel demand and avoid crowding at popular tourist destinations in line with the COVID-19 situation. Starting from the 28th, a service recommending less crowded tourist spots based on big data such as telecommunications, transportation, and credit card usage will be provided through the 'Korea Tourism Organization' website.

From the 26th, a safe travel event will be held in the 'Top 10 Themed Travel Destinations in Korea' regions, where travelers who follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks and verify their accommodation will be entered into a draw to receive a 100,000 won national tourism gift certificate. To overcome COVID-19 depression and promote contactless travel culture, a walking travel project themed 'Walking Together Apart in Korea' will also begin on the 26th.

A program allowing medical staff, quarantine officials, and volunteers who have devoted themselves to preventing the spread of COVID-19 to experience healing tourist sites will also be prepared. This program will be held from the 29th at nine healing tourist sites nationwide, including Hanwha Resort in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

Choi Yoon-hee, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, held a briefing on the 21st at the briefing room of the Seoul Government Complex Annex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging "If you travel, travel safely" through a safety travel campaign instead of implementing the autumn travel week due to the COVID-19 situation, and announced support measures for the tourism industry.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

Support for Projects Including Special Loans from the Tourism Fund

The scale of loans from the tourism fund, which lends money necessary for business operations to the tourism industry, will be increased by 40 billion won until the end of this year. Although the government planned a total tourism fund loan amount of 625 billion won this year, as of the end of last month, 570 billion won had already been used due to high demand. According to the Ministry, the tourism industry's sales decline from January to September compared to the same period last year reached 9 trillion won. The number of inbound tourists from March to September this year also decreased by more than 96% compared to last year, indicating severe damage to the tourism industry.

The Ministry plans to allocate 10 billion won to special loans with credit guarantees and 30 billion won to general operating fund loans by utilizing existing project budgets expected to remain unused and facility fund loan resources. This time, in addition to expanding special loans for small businesses, the loan limit for general loans will be increased from 3 billion won to 4 billion won.

The timing of implementing discount coupon projects to promote consumption in the tourism sector, such as accommodation and tourism discounts, will be decided while monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Choi Yoon-hee, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "Above all, the most important thing is the safety and quarantine of the public, and all tourism projects will be carried out with an emphasis on safety." She added, "Since measures to support the severely affected tourism industry are urgently needed, we will actively consult with quarantine authorities on additional support measures for the industry and the timing of domestic demand measures such as consumption discount coupons."