Up to 110 Million KRW Support Over 5 Years: New Tourism Dure Community Businesses Sought

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization, is accepting applications for new local community businesses to participate in the 2025 "Tourism Dure" program until May 22.

The Tourism Dure initiative is a policy project that supports local residents who directly establish tourism businesses with unique regional characteristics in areas such as accommodation, food and beverage, travel, experiences, and souvenirs, enabling them to operate these businesses sustainably. Launched in 2013, the program has supported a total of 953 local community businesses across 142 regions as of last year.

Prior to the application period, the ministry designated five new regions?Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province, Taebaek in Gangwon Province, Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province, Jeongeup in North Jeolla Province, and Hamyang in South Gyeongsang Province?as new Tourism Dure project areas in January. This recruitment will select approximately 40 local community businesses, each consisting of three local residents, from a total of 27 regions, including 22 existing project areas. The selection process will include document screening, on-site inspections, and presentation evaluations, and is open to businesses planning to start a tourism venture or seeking to improve management after starting up.

The ministry will provide customized support to selected Tourism Dure community businesses for up to five years, with a maximum of 110 million KRW per business. This support includes education, field trips, consulting (startup and management, product and menu development, design, promotion and marketing), pilot projects, and legal and tax assistance, tailored to each development stage. In addition, local Tourism Dure PDs (regional activity experts) will provide close support to help community businesses adapt smoothly in the early stages and carry out their tasks systematically and effectively at each stage.

For more detailed information about the application, visit the Tourism Dure website, the Korea Tourism Industry Portal "Tourraj," or the website of the relevant local government. Community groups wishing to participate should consult in advance with the local Tourism Dure PD and submit their application via the Tourism Dure website by 2:00 p.m. on May 22.

A ministry policy official stated, "Tourism Dure has contributed to expanding the sustainability of regional tourism as a startup growth model led by local residents," adding, "The ministry will actively support Tourism Dure community businesses so they can grow into leading regional brands."