Reviving Domestic Demand... Up to 50% Discount on Railways and Increased International Flights to Southeast Asia

Government-wide Domestic Demand Revitalization Measures
Railway Discount Benefits and Nationwide Expressway Promotions
Early Increase of International Flight Routes

The government will promote specialized promotions at rest areas on expressways nationwide during the May holidays along with railway discount benefits to revitalize tourism. To attract foreign tourists visiting Korea, it plans to increase international flight routes early and strengthen incentives for arrivals at regional airports.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 29th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the "Transportation Cost Discount and Travel Convenience Enhancement Plan" to support tourism revitalization as part of the government's comprehensive domestic demand activation measures.

This plan was prepared following President Yoon Seok-yeol's directive at the Chief Secretary Meeting on the 27th of last month, instructing "all economic ministries to coordinate and prepare a comprehensive plan to activate domestic demand."

First, to fully activate domestic tourism for Korean nationals, railway discount benefits will be expanded along with train services linked to local festivals, and specialized promotions will be promoted at rest areas on expressways nationwide during the May holidays.

For KTX, in celebration of Family Month in May, families registered as having multiple children will receive an increased adult fare discount from the existing 30% to 50%, and members registered as pregnant women will also receive a 50% fare discount.

SRT will offer up to a 30% discount on fares during spring (April 1?17) and autumn (October) periods depending on occupancy rates and early booking timing.

Additionally, in June, designated as Travel Month, support will be provided such as up to 50% discount on regional tourism combined KTX tickets and a 10,000 KRW discount on the Naeilro Pass. More train services will be added during the spring flower sightseeing train period (April), the Suncheon Garden Expo, and the Saemangeum Jamboree to accommodate more tourists.

During the Children's Day holiday (May 5?7) and Buddha's Birthday holiday (May 27?29), 207 rest areas managed by road construction authorities nationwide will offer up to 33% discount on regionally specialized snacks and up to 50% discount on car wash fees to reduce travel expenses.

To expand the attraction of foreign tourists visiting Korea, early expansion of international flight routes will be implemented along with strengthened incentives for arrivals at regional airports, and various events will be provided.

By September this year, international flight routes such as Korea-China, Southeast Asia, and Japan will be restored early to about 80?90% of 2019 levels to stimulate domestic demand.

In particular, to attract foreign visitors to regional international airports such as Gimhae, Daegu, Muan, Yangyang, and Cheongju, cooperation will be strengthened with five local governments including Busan, Daegu, Chungbuk, Jeonnam, and Gangwon, as well as Korea Airports Corporation, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Korea Tourism Organization to enhance foreign arrival incentives.

Specifically, airport facility usage fees will be waived, operational support funds and route promotions will be expanded for new flights and tourist charter flights at regional airports. For countries requiring demand recovery such as Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, continuous efforts to expand foreign visitors will be made through local roadshows and familiarization tours inviting travel agencies.

Efforts to improve airport connection transportation, such as increasing public transportation and shuttle buses linking airports to tourist sites and downtown areas, will also be promoted concurrently.

Furthermore, for foreign arrivals at Incheon Airport on Northeast Asian routes including Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, free return flight tickets will be distributed to five people per day within six months (May?July), and various events such as airline discount promotions will be provided targeting overseas tourists.