A Record 1,680 Companies Participate
Jang Miran: "Will Revitalize the Inbound Tourism Market and Domestic Consumption"
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 15th that it will hold the '2025 Korea Grand Sale' with the Korea Tourism Year Committee until February 28.
Jang Mi-ran, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is taking a commemorative photo with foreign tourists at the Korea Grand Sale Welcome Center set up in front of the National Theater of Korea Myeongdong Arts Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 15th. [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]
This event is a shopping tourism festival planned to attract foreign tourists and revitalize tourism consumption during the low season for inbound tourism in January and February.
This year, it is the largest scale since the event began, with about 1,680 companies participating in aviation, accommodation, shopping, and more, offering various discounts and special experience opportunities.
In the aviation sector, 10 domestic airlines including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are selling 214 inbound routes with discounts of up to 94%. Air tickets from China, Hong Kong, and Japan are offered at up to 31% discounted prices through Trip.com and Konnest.
In the accommodation sector, major hotels such as Ibis Styles Ambassador and Mayfield Hotel are participating, offering discounts of up to 19%.
In the shopping sector, Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai, Galleria department stores, major duty-free shops, and outlets are participating in large numbers. In particular, depending on the purchase amount, gift certificates worth up to 1 million KRW, shopping support funds, and coupon books are provided. Musinsa Standard offers a 10% discount at 19 stores nationwide, and Olive Young Myeongdong branch provides a 20% discount coupon for purchases over 150,000 KRW.
In five major regions, 17 special events are prepared for foreign tourists to experience K-pop, food, beauty, cultural heritage, and more. This year, unique experience programs such as 'Nongshim Ramen Factory Tour,' 'Ongo Food Night Dining Tour,' 'Esteem Model Experience Class,' and 'Bukchon Traditional Accessory Making' have been newly added.
Additionally, visits to Gangwon-do attractions, soju factory tours, Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, Muju Taekwondowon experience, and ski lessons are promoted to encourage regional visits.
A promotional banner for the '2025 Korea Grand Sale' is hung on Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the opening day, the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
The foreigner-only mobility platform K-Ride offers a 3,000 KRW discount code upon use. Orange Square's prepaid card Wow Pass provides up to 5% cashback when paying at Olive Young, Daiso, and others. When paying with UnionPay, a 10% discount is available at about 1,000 major affiliated stores.
Furthermore, to enhance convenience for foreign travelers in Korea, Naver Maps provides information and routes of participating stores in major commercial areas such as Myeongdong in English, Japanese, and Chinese. ‘Korea Grand Sale Welcome Centers’ operate in major shopping hubs frequently visited by foreigners, such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, Seongsu, and Gangnam. Coupon books containing benefits from participating companies are provided, and prizes are offered to consumers who present purchase receipts from surrounding commercial areas and certify immediate tax refunds, encouraging consumption by foreign tourists.
This event is linked with the 1st APEC Senior Officials Meeting held in Gyeongju (February 24?28), promoting food, beverage, and accommodation benefits in the Gyeongju area and introducing Gyeongbuk tourism products. At the booth operated at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center, special promotions connected to the '2025 Gyeongbuk Tourism Year' will be conducted.
Jang Mi-ran, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, participated in the opening ceremony held in Jung-gu, Seoul, communicating with key company officials and visiting shopping stores in Myeongdong to check the VAT immediate refund service and luggage storage service.
Vice Minister Jang said, "Through this 'Korea Grand Sale,' I hope foreign tourists visiting Korea will enjoy abundant discounts and the diverse charm of K-Culture," adding, "This event will invigorate the inbound tourism market and domestic consumption, providing an opportunity for the tourism industry to make a strong start this year."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
