Jeonnam Province to Offer 50% Discount on Ferry Fares for Tourists

Expansion of Island Tourism Industry... 50% Subsidy on Ferry Fares
Nine Routes Including Geomundo and Gageodo Eligible
Synergy Expected with the Yeosu World Island Expo

The "Half-Price Fare Support Project for Passenger Ships to Islands for the General Public" is having a significant impact on tourists. The photo shows the Hamel ship operating between Yeosu and Geomundo. Provided by Jeonnam Province.

Jeollanam-do analyzed that the "Half-Price Ferry Fare Support Project for the General Public," implemented since 2022, has received a great response from tourists from outside the region. With the "2026 Yeosu World Island Expo" just about a year away, a synergy effect for revitalizing island tourism in Jeollanam-do is also expected.

According to Jeollanam-do on the 16th, the "Half-Price Ferry Fare Support Project for the General Public" is centered on providing a 50% subsidy on ferry fares to tourists visiting Jeollanam-do’s islands from outside the province.

The routes eligible for support are nine major routes rich in tourism resources, including Yeosu~Geomundo, Goheung~Geomundo, Mokpo~Gageodo, and Wando (Wando~Cheongsan, Wando~Yeoja, Ddangkkeut~Sanyang, Ddangkkeut~Neopdo, Hwahuengpo~Soan).

There had been concerns that many tourists hesitated to visit the islands due to high ferry costs. Since the implementation of this project, the number of visitors traveling to the islands at half the cost has increased, which is analyzed to have had significant effects such as generating tourism income for island residents and improving profits for ferry operators.

However, the "Half-Price Ferry Fare Support Project for the General Public" only applies to ferry fare discounts and does not cover terminal usage fees or vehicle fares.

In addition, depending on the local circumstances or budget limitations of each city or county, weekends, holidays, and peak seasons may be excluded, so it is necessary to check with the relevant department before visiting.

Park Youngchae, Director of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Bureau of Jeollanam-do, said, "With the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo approaching, we expect a synergy effect in revitalizing island tourism," and added, "We will continue to request national funding and expand the project so that general tourists can visit the islands with more affordable transportation costs."