First 'Open Travel Week' until the 20th... Providing Travel Opportunities for Tourism-Vulnerable Groups

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 14th that it will promote the first 'Open Travel Week' from the 14th to the 20th in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Tourism Association Central Council. Open Travel Week was established to provide practical travel opportunities to vulnerable groups in tourism, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and low-income individuals who find it difficult to fully enjoy basic tourism rights, and to raise public awareness about barrier-free tourism.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is introducing the 'Open Travel for 30,000 Won' product for those who have found travel difficult due to mobility and accessibility issues. This product supports vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts and professional assistants called 'Tour Care' who help the mobility and activities of vulnerable tourism groups.

A 'Sharing Travel' program for 200 people with physical, visual, and developmental disabilities will also be conducted in connection with Open Travel Week. Participants can travel to accessible tourist sites nationwide and experience various barrier-free travel programs, such as enjoying King Canoe while using a wheelchair.

Seventeen companies and institutions, including nationwide tourist attractions, nearby dining and shopping facilities, and travel agencies, will offer customized benefits such as discounts on admission and experience fees and free rental of assistive devices for vulnerable tourism groups through the 'Open Travel Promotion.' Nol Universe is promoting the 'Hotels for All Campaign' on the Yanolja app, allowing easy access to information and reservations for 103 hotels with rooms for people with disabilities. Six companies provide benefits such as room discounts and free wheelchair rentals for vulnerable tourism groups.

At the Korea Tourism Promotion Center 'Hiker Ground,' operated by the Korea Tourism Organization, a barrier-free tourism experience event will be held from the 15th to the 20th. On the 5th floor of Hiker Ground, an exhibition titled 'A Map Where Everyone is Happy' focused on barrier-free tourism will be held, and on the 1st floor, an 'Open Travel Event' will take place where visitors can participate directly to broaden their understanding and empathy for barrier-free tourism.

More detailed information about 'Open Travel Week' can be found on the Korea Tourism Organization's accessible tourism website, 'Travel for All.'

With the passage of partial amendments to three laws?the Framework Act on Tourism, the Tourism Promotion Act, and the Tourism Promotion Development Fund Act?at the National Assembly plenary session on the 20th of last month, the institutional foundation for 'barrier-free tourism' has been strengthened. The three laws related to barrier-free tourism newly define 'barrier-free tourism' and include provisions on creating a barrier-free tourism environment in the basic tourism promotion plan and the use of the tourism promotion development fund, enabling more active and systematic promotion of barrier-free tourism policies.

Kim Jeong-hoon, Director of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "With the legal foundation for barrier-free tourism established and related policies becoming increasingly important in society, the first-ever 'Open Travel Week' will serve as an opportunity to shift perceptions about tourism accessibility and inclusiveness in our society beyond simple travel support. Now that the legal foundation to enhance the travel enjoyment rights of vulnerable tourism groups has been established, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to strive to create a barrier-free tourism environment where everyone can travel conveniently."