Jeonnam Province Will Not Tolerate Price Gouging at Festivals and Tourist Attractions

Various Local Festivals to Be Held from March to May
Policies Introduced to Eradicate Tourist Price Gouging

Jeollanamdo Province will conduct inspections against tourist scams such as overcharging as various local festivals are held across the region from March to May. The photo shows the Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival site. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do is thoroughly preparing its tourism infrastructure to ensure that visitors can enjoy various local festivals held throughout the province from March to May in comfort and safety as the warm spring arrives.

In spring, Jeollanam-do is getting ready to welcome tourists with festivals such as the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival (March 7-16), Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival (March 15-23), Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival (March 29-April 1), and Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival (March 29-April 6).

Additionally, in April and May, there will be a rich array of festivals where visitors can experience the nature and culture of Jeollanam-do, such as the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival, Boseong Dahyang Tea Festival, and Gokseong Rose Festival.

Recently, issues of price gouging in some areas have caused inconvenience for tourists. In response, Jeollanam-do is working with festival organizing departments from the preparation stage to ensure reasonable pricing, operating a "Price Gouging Inspection Team" to eradicate such practices.

A Price Gouging Reporting Center will be set up at each festival's general situation room to promptly address visitor complaints, and crackdowns will be strengthened to prevent illegal street vendors outside festival venues from charging unfair prices.

The province also plans to foster a culture of reasonable pricing by designating and operating "Good Price" businesses.

With large crowds expected at spring festivals, safety management will be significantly strengthened through thorough inspections and response systems to ensure visitor safety.

Joint safety inspection teams comprising provincial, city and county officials, and related organizations will conduct pre-inspections of festival infrastructure and electrical, gas, and fire facilities. During the festivals, an emergency response system will be established in cooperation with fire departments, police, and public health centers to enable swift responses to any incidents.

In addition, infrastructure related to transportation, parking, and accommodation will be checked for visitor convenience, and hospitality service training will be conducted to enhance traveler satisfaction.

Yoo Hyunho, Director of Tourism and Sports for Jeollanam-do, said, "We will do our best to ensure visitors can enjoy their stay with reasonable pricing policies free from price gouging and thorough safety management."