South Korea’s New Half-price Travel Programs Revitalize Regional Tourism And Boost Local Economies

Published on September 4, 2025

In a bid to boost location tourism and invigorate section economies, South Korea has introduced innovative “half-price travel” programs that are attracting visitors to agrarian areas. These initiatives connection important reimbursements to travelers, providing up to 50 percent backmost connected recreation expenses successful nan shape of gift certificates for usage astatine section businesses. As nan first of its benignant successful Korea, Gangjin County successful South Jeolla has led nan measurement pinch its highly successful program, which is now inspiring different regions to adopt akin models. This move is bringing economical maturation and greater visitant numbers to antecedently overlooked destinations.

Gangjin County’s Groundbreaking “Half-Price Travel” Program

Gangjin County, located successful South Jeolla Province, has pioneered nan “half-price travel” initiative, offering travelers a chance to research nan area’s taste and humanities sites astatine a fraction of nan cost. Visitors to Gangjin tin person a 50 percent refund connected their recreation expenses, up to 200,000 won, successful nan shape of Gangjin Love gift certificates. The programme has been incredibly successful, pinch visitors from crossed nan state flocking to nan region to return advantage of nan offer.

Kim Suk-hee, a 26-year-old resident from Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, shared her affirmative experience. She and her group spent 3 days and 2 nights successful Gangjin, enjoying section attractions specified arsenic Dasan Chodang and Baeknyeon Temple, arsenic good arsenic activities for illustration zip-lining connected Gau Island. Despite spending 460,000 won ($331) during their trip, Kim’s group received 200,000 won back, leaving them pinch an out-of-pocket costs of conscionable 260,000 won ($187).

Kim described nan travel arsenic not only affordable but besides enriching, arsenic they were capable to research nan region’s historical sites and bask location delicacies for illustration Byeongyeong-style bulgogi. The financial alleviation provided by nan mobile coupons issued by Gangjin County made nan acquisition moreover much enjoyable, arsenic visitors for illustration Kim were capable to bring location section specialties for illustration salted freshwater shrimp and paprika.

Significant Economic Impact: How nan Program is Revitalizing Gangjin’s Economy

The occurrence of Gangjin’s programme is evident successful nan important economical effect it has had connected nan region. As of August 17, 2025, much than 33,000 recreation groups had participated successful nan initiative, collectively spending complete 4.13 cardinal won. In nan first twelvemonth of nan program, 15,291 recreation groups participated, spending a full of 2.19 cardinal won. The 2.2 cardinal won invested successful nan programme successful 2024 has led to a 24 cardinal won accumulation effect and generated much than 10 cardinal won successful added economical value.

The program’s nonstop effect connected tourism has besides been significant. Gangjin County recorded a 11.6 percent summation successful full visitors past year, pinch nan number of visitors increasing from 6.35 cardinal successful 2023 to 7.09 cardinal successful 2024. The number of visitors specifically attracted by nan programme jumped from 2.39 cardinal to 2.82 million, marking an 18 percent increase. This surge successful visitant numbers has provided much-needed gross to section businesses, particularly those successful nan hospitality, dining, and tourism sectors.

Local Businesses Benefit: How Gift Certificates are Spurring Economic Growth

The half-price recreation inaugural has created a affirmative ripple effect for section businesses, pinch visitors utilizing nan Gangjin Love gift certificates to salary for accommodations, meals, and section products. Popular products specified arsenic agricultural, marine, and livestock equipment person seen accrued income arsenic visitors usage their gift certificates to acquisition souvenirs. In fact, a ample information of nan spending done nan programme has gone toward eating and section specialty products, straight supporting section farmers and artisans.

In addition, Gangjin’s occurrence communicative was recognized astatine nan nationalist level. The Ministry of nan Interior and Safety awarded nan programme arsenic nan apical location economical betterment argumentation successful nan country, a testament to its affirmative effect connected nan section economy. Even President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged nan programme during his run sojourn to Gangjin, encouraging voters to “enjoy your half-price trip.”

A National Trend: Other Regions Adopt Gangjin’s Model

The occurrence of Gangjin’s “half-price travel” programme has inspired different regions crossed South Korea to adopt akin initiatives. Wando County, besides located successful South Jeolla, launched nan “Wando Healing Pay” programme earlier this year, offering recreation groups of 2 aliases much group up to 210,000 won successful coupons based connected their section spending. This inaugural has already shown results, pinch Wando attracting 3.72 cardinal visitors successful nan first half of 2025, an summation of 6.0 percent from nan erstwhile year. Popular destinations for illustration Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach, Cheongsan Island, and nan Wando Marine Healing Center person seen a important uptick successful visitant numbers, pinch increases betwixt 40 and 50 percent.

Between March and June 2025, 9,320 recreation groups applied for nan Wando Healing Pay program, spending a full of 3.3 cardinal won successful nan region. Of that, complete 700 cardinal won was refunded successful nan shape of coupons. These initiatives person not only boosted tourism but person besides enhanced nan section economy, providing a much-needed boost to nan hospitality and unit sectors.

Yeongam County Joins nan Movement

Yeongam County, besides successful South Jeolla, has followed suit pinch its ain program, offering “Yeongam Travel 1+1” incentives. Travel groups of 2 aliases much tin use for a refund of up to 240,000 won successful section rate wrong 7 days of their trip. These programs are providing moreover much options for travelers looking to research nan hidden gems of South Korea, each while supporting nan section economy.

The Future of Half-Price Travel: A Sustainable Solution for Regional Tourism

The occurrence of Gangjin’s programme has group a caller precedent for location tourism successful South Korea. By offering financial incentives and making recreation much affordable, section governments are helping to revitalize agrarian economies and dispersed nan benefits of tourism beyond nan awesome cities of Seoul and Busan. The programs not only pull visitors to lesser-known areas but besides foster semipermanent economical maturation by expanding nan number of repetition visitors and encouraging sustainable tourism practices.

As much regions crossed South Korea look to instrumentality akin initiatives, nan “half-price travel” conception is poised to go a cornerstone of nan country’s tourism strategy. With much section governments exploring ways to accommodate nan exemplary to their unsocial regions, this innovative attack is transforming South Korea into a much equitable and accessible destination for some home and world travellers.

Local Economies, Sustainable Travel, and Tourists – All Benefiting Together

South Korea has developed caller half-price programs for travellers, and it’s a triumph for some section economies and tourists. These initiatives make recreation to South Korea easier and much affordable, while besides acting arsenic a stimulus for distant area tourism. As much South Korea regions adapt, it’s clear that sustainable improvement on pinch ample features tourism maturation will beryllium for continuing dire years.