Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Travel Month Campaign Until the 30th
Benefits Including Discounts on Transportation, Accommodation, and Domestic Travel Products
Half-Price Flights and Trains, Accommodation Discounts, and More
Actor Yeo Jin-gu Hosts 'Travel Buddy Yeo Jin-gu'
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are conducting the 'June Travel Month' campaign to promote the charm of regional tourism.
From the 14th to June 30th, a variety of benefits will continue, including up to 50% discounts on rail and air travel, special discounts in regions introducing digital tourist resident cards, and nationwide accommodation discount vouchers ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 KRW.
The government designated 'Travel Month' as a key livelihood stabilization policy last February and is running the campaign twice a year for the first time, in March and June. During the 'March Travel Month' campaign held in early spring, the total national movement (269 million people) and tourism expenditure (13.5 trillion KRW) both increased by about 3.1% compared to the same period last year, revitalizing various regions during the off-season for travel.
For the 'June Travel Month' campaign, over 240 organizations from the government, local governments, and the private sector collaborated to prepare even richer benefits and attractions than in March.
If purchased in combination with existing regional tourism linked products (such as accommodation and experience vouchers), discounts include high-speed rail (KTX) fares (50% on weekdays, 30% on weekends), 50% off tourist train fares, and a 10,000 KRW discount on the Youth Rail Pass (Naero Pass) available through the Korail app, website, and on-site ticketing. Inland air route fares are discounted by 20,000 KRW, and city tour buses are offered at 50% off.
In June, considering the demand for traveling with pets, a pet air fare discount benefit will be added. Rail and air discount vouchers can be pre-booked starting from the 16th, and pet fare discounts from June 1st. Discount vouchers are provided on a first-come, first-served basis in limited quantities.
The 'Digital Tourist Resident Card,' currently operated in 15 regions, will be additionally applied to 19 local governments this year, including Yeongwol in Gangwon, Andong in Gyeongbuk, and Jangheung in Jeonnam. In total, 34 regions and about 800 discounted tourist sites are included. Services in newly introduced regions will be available from June 1st to coincide with 'Travel Month.'
In cooperation with Korail, a new KTX discount has been added for areas issuing the digital tourist resident card. If you use KTX products arriving at 12 nearby stations of the regions operating the digital tourist resident card during specific hours (9 PM to 7 AM), you can receive a 35% discount. Among passengers using trains to these regions, those who visit participating businesses of the digital tourist resident card and receive an on-site discount certificate will be provided with a 20,000 KRW KTX discount voucher.
Additionally, 250,000 accommodation discount vouchers will be distributed. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will issue 50,000 KRW discount vouchers for accommodation products priced at 70,000 KRW or more in 12 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide, including Gyeongbuk and Gangwon, on a first-come, first-served basis from May 28 to 30. From June 3, discount vouchers of 20,000 or 30,000 KRW will be issued for reservations of accommodation products priced at 20,000 KRW or more in non-capital regions. Discounts for Korea Tourism Quality Certified accommodations and 10,000 KRW discounts for registered camping sites will also be conducted sequentially.
Special regional travel products have also been prepared to satisfy diverse traveler demands, focusing on exhibitions, performances, leisure sports, and local cultural and artistic resources.
About 70 regions and 130 travel products will meet the public, including 'Solo Gurye Travel' for relaxation, 'Gyechon Classic Festival Tour' combined with art, 'Namwon Art Tour at a Slow Pace,' 'Gongju Holy Land Pilgrimage,' 'Naljomboso Miryang Travel,' 'Gyeongju Hwangchon Stay Travel' for those who want to stay in the region, and 'Old Shop Themed Travel with Writer No' focused on gourmet experiences.
Train travel products that allow bicycles to be carried on board, such as 'Local Travel on Two Wheels,' 'DMZ Peace Nuri Trail,' and travel programs linked with Sapsido Fishing Village Experience, Gochang UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, etc., will also be operated. Events like 'Untan Godo Bicycle Riding' and 'Daegu Otgol Village Tomb Tour on Two Wheels' will be held as well.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Rural Community Corporation, a discount event for Wellchon rural travel products (up to 50%) will also take place. Notably, this 'Travel Month' will operate 'hidden tourist spots' featuring places and experiences usually closed to the public. With cooperation from the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, special openings throughout June include ▲Sujin River clam hand net fishing experience ▲Jukbangnyeom fish catching experience at Namhae Jijok Strait ▲Asan Oeam Folk Village cultural heritage night tour ▲Yechon Seoksongryeong, a natural monument symbolizing wealth and longevity.
Famous cultural and exhibition facilities such as Arte Museum (Gangneung, Jeju, Yeosu), known for media art exhibitions, and Haslla Art World in Gangneung, where nature and artworks harmonize, are also participating in the 'Travel Month' campaign, offering various benefits. All discount benefits are scheduled to end early once the budget is exhausted, so it is advisable to make reservations according to your travel plans.
The 'Yeogiro (Travel Month, Train Local Travel)' event, which received high acclaim with a competition rate of 76:1 during the last 'March Travel Month,' will continue in June. It is a day train trip to 14 small cities with 12 courses where participants can experience local activities, traditional culture, and history together.
For a personal expense of 49,000 KRW, transportation, meals, and admission to tourist sites are all covered. The event can accommodate about 1,000 participants. The 'Yeogiro' dedicated trains will depart four times on June 1, 7, 14, and 15, each with a different travel theme. Up to four people including the applicant can apply. The June 1 gourmet travel train is exclusively for families with two or more children and allows up to six applicants.
The 'June Travel Month' campaign also prepared 'Travel Friend Yeo Jin-gu,' a trip with actor Yeo Jin-gu, who was selected as the campaign model. Participants will visit art museums and walk through birch forests in the Yanggu and Inje regions with Yeo Jin-gu, recharging their emotions and healing body and mind. Applications for 'Travel Friend Yeo Jin-gu' will be accepted from May 14 to 20, and 20 participants will be selected by lottery.
Additionally, various discount benefits and travel-related prizes are offered by participating organizations, including a 50% admission discount for visitors to Hantan River Columnar Jointing Trail in Cheorwon, a 50,000 KRW discount on Jeju Sehwa Village travel products and haenyeo (female diver) experience fees, and free experiences at Sinan Jeungdo Salt Field and Salt Cave.
Detailed information on 'Travel Month' discount benefits, event schedules, and participation methods can be found on the official website. Since the sales, usage periods, and conditions of all discount benefits and travel programs differ, it is essential to check in advance. Searching 'Travel Month' on portal sites will also provide related information.
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