Ministry of Agriculture to Launch "Rural Tour Pass" Next Month... Up to 50% Public Transportation Discount for Local Tourists

Combination of Rural Tourism and Public Transportation Discounts

The "Rural Tour Pass" program, which offers local tourists up to a 50% discount on public transportation, will begin on July 1.

On June 30, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it would launch the Rural Tour Pass program on July 1, combining rural tourism products with public transportation discounts. The purpose of this initiative is to promote carbon neutrality by encouraging the use of public transportation and to revitalize rural tourism by supporting stay-type tourism products.

The 2025 Rural Tour Pass program will be significantly expanded in both scale and content compared to last year. Based on last year's business agreements with 33 basic local governments in population-declining areas, the program plans to recruit around 100 affiliated rural experience sites, tourist attractions, and food and beverage facilities, and to offer public transportation discount coupons and various benefits to tourists visiting these regions.

Tourists wishing to visit any of the 33 basic local governments can check the eligible regions and products for the Rural Tour Pass and then purchase the pass. Buyers will receive the pass in the form of a mobile ticket, which can be used at affiliated locations for 24 hours.

In particular, this year, the sales channels will be expanded to improve customer accessibility. In addition to the existing Korail Talk and Tmoney Go app, the products will also be available through a total of 13 online channels, including Naver, Coupang, Gmarket, Auction, and Tour Pass Mall.

The Rural Tour Pass not only covers tourism products but also offers real transportation cost savings by linking buses (Tmoney Go) and trains (Korail Talk). When purchasing the Rural Tour Pass, travelers can receive up to a 50% discount on bus fares to population-declining areas, within a limit of 10,000 won. For bus-only use, a discount of up to 30% is available within a limit of 3,000 won. On Korail Talk, a 50% discount on KTX train fares to population-declining areas is provided when purchasing the Rural Tour Pass.

In the second half of the year, various events, including online promotional campaigns, will be held to coincide with the peak travel season. Through these efforts, the program aims to raise public interest in rural tourism and enable more people to experience the Rural Tour Pass.

Park Sungwoo, Director General of Rural Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "The 2025 Rural Tour Pass program has been designed to allow people to enjoy rural experiences and tourism resources more fully. We hope that many people will visit rural areas through the Rural Tour Pass and experience the unique charm of the countryside. We ask for your continued interest in rural tourism in the future."