Cheongsan Island in South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
By Lee Hae-rin
Korea launched the “Travel Month” campaign, Tuesday, that will run until the end of March to boost domestic travel and the regional economy.
The annual campaign, run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and joined by local governments and the tourism industry, provided travel benefits to some 1.03 million people last year, thereby creating a ripple effect of 13.2 trillion won ($9.8 billion) in travel expenditures.
Following its success, the government has decided to hold the campaign twice this year, in March and June, offering a wide range of travel discounts.
For foreign nationals interested in a templestay, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism offers 50 percent discounts for a one-day and one-night temple experience.
Also, the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, and Taekwondowon, a taekwondo training and competition facility in Muju, North Jeolla Province, offer a 50 percent discounts on entrance fees.
The campaign also features transport benefits.
Cable cars carry visitors up mountains in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province. Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
From Feb. 29 to March 31, the Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) and Jin Air offer 15,000 won discounts for 8,000 passengers who book flights from Gimpo to four regional airports in Ulsan, Yeosu, Pohang-Gyeongju and Sacheon. The tickets are valid until April 14.
The Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) also offers discounts on train tickets in limited quantity on a first-come, first-served basis. The booking opened on Feb. 20.
Those who purchase tour packages through online travel agencies in partnership with the public train operator can receive discounts up to 50 percent during weekdays and up to 30 percent on weekends and holidays for train trips in March.
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
Also, tickets for the five tourist trains with different themes and routes are available at 50 percent discounts through the KORAIL website, mobile app and offline ticket booths.
The five trains are the East Sea & Santa Train which runs along the eastern coast to the Santa Village in Buncheon, North Gyeongsang Province; the West Gold Train, featuring a picturesque sunset view over the West Sea; the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range Canyon Train with beautiful canyon views of the rugged mountain range; the South Coast Train, running slowly among beautiful small southern cities; and the Jeongseon Arirang Train, traveling from Seoul to the hometown of the iconic Korean folk song in Gangwon Province.
The campaign also includes promotions on rental car services in rural areas with diminishing populations at discounts up to 50 percent.
For accommodation, 110,000 promotion coupons that can be used to book places priced over 50,000 won per night on 44 booking platforms will be distributed via online travel agencies, also on a first-come, first-served basis.
Details on more promotion benefits are available on the Visit Korea website.
