Hapcheon County Draws Attention with Admission Fee Refund Policy to Boost Local Economy

Smart Travel, Longer Stays
Boosting Local Tourism Vitality

Hapcheon County in South Gyeongsang Province will implement a policy starting January 20 to revitalize the local economy and attract tourists. Under this policy, a portion of the admission fee paid by adult visitors to the county’s flagship attractions-Hapcheon Video Theme Park and the Tripitaka Koreana Theme Park-will be returned in the form of Hapcheon Love Gift Certificates.

This initiative targets adult paying visitors to major attractions directly operated by Hapcheon County. Eligible visitors will receive an immediate refund of 3,000 won in paper Hapcheon Love Gift Certificates at the site, which can be used like cash at any affiliated merchant within the county. The aim is to improve accessibility to paid tourist sites, extend tourists’ length of stay, and boost sales for local small businesses.

Panoramic view of Hapcheon Video Theme Park.

The county expects this program to serve not just as a simple discount, but as a “priming pump” to draw tourists into nearby commercial districts. In particular, Hapcheon County plans to closely analyze the operational results and economic impact of this adult-focused program, with a view to expanding the range of beneficiaries or increasing the number of participating attractions in the future.

Additionally, Hapcheon County will strengthen its seasonal specialized content alongside the refund program, further establishing itself as a leading “stay-type tourism city” in South Korea where visitors want to linger.

County Governor Kim Yuncheol stated, “I want to instill the positive perception that Hapcheon is a destination where travelers get more than they spend,” adding, “By successfully establishing this program, we will create a city where tourists have fun and local merchants smile, fostering a win-win environment for Hapcheon.”