Jangseong-gun, Gift Certificate Exchange System... 'Vitality' for Local Economy

[Jangseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jo Hangyu] Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Yoo Doo-seok) is seeing remarkable results since implementing the 'Gift Certificate Exchange Program' along the Jangseongho Lakeside Trail.

According to the county on the 25th, the gift certificate exchange program allows visitors to the Jangseongho Lakeside Trail to pay 3,000 won at the exchange booth and receive the same amount in local currency (Jangseong Love Gift Certificate) in return.

The received gift certificates can be used like cash at over 1,500 affiliated stores in the Jangseong area, including the Lakeside Trail Market.

The program operates only on weekends, Sundays, and public holidays, mainly targeting external visitors.

Residents of Jangseong-gun, seniors aged 65 and over, military personnel, and students can enter without going through the exchange procedure.

The county started the program on August 1, but due to COVID-19 prevention measures that led to the closure of the lakeside trail, it has only operated 17 times, about one-third of the planned sessions.

During the operation of the exchange program, 41,277 visitors came, of whom about 30,000 (73%) exchanged gift certificates, with total sales amounting to approximately 90 million won.

The exchanged gift certificates were used evenly along the lakeside trail and in the local area, with 52% used inside the trail (Lakeside Trail Market, Chulleongjeong, Neomsiljeong) and 48% at local restaurants and stores.

Governor Yoo Doo-seok said, "Despite the limited number of operations due to COVID-19 prevention, we can confirm that the program has revitalized the local economy," adding, "We expect even greater effects once the infectious disease situation stabilizes."