On the 26th of last month, I drove for nearly two hours from Sejong through Cheongju to the Seosan-Yangdeok Expressway. I entered the Central Expressway at the Andong Junction (JC), passed through the Nam Andong IC, and then got onto the Seo Andong IC. The mountains next to the road, which should have boasted of summer greenery, appeared black. The sharpness of coniferous trees and the lushness of broadleaf trees were nowhere to be seen. The blackened forest continued, with only the charred trunks and branches left behind. It was a reminder of the wildfires that hit the Gyeongbuk region last spring.
The situation in the city accessed from the expressway was somewhat better. An official from the Andong Agricultural Technology Center noted, "Fortunately, the wildfire did not reach the city. Among the Gyeongbuk region, Andong experienced less wildfire damage," and added, "Nearby Uiseong was severely affected. There are still many areas that need to be restored."
Various campaigns to help the affected areas have been launched nationwide since the large-scale wildfires. Recently, the method preferred by the MZ generation for helping out is 'money support.' 'Money support' is a portmanteau of 'money' and 'support,' meaning 'kind consumption' where people visit good restaurants to boost their sales.
As summer vacation season arrives, the 'countryside vacation' where city dwellers seek out the countryside is also one of the methods of 'money support.' Instead of famous vacation spots like overseas tourist attractions or domestic beaches, finding a quiet countryside area for rural experiences, splashing in streams, visiting local restaurants, and enjoying small joys is the charm of countryside vacations.
In May, a YouTube broadcast featuring the nation's MC Yoo Jae-suk, actors Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sang-yi, comedian Nam Chang-hee, and Cho Sae-ho doing countryside vacation in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, gained tremendous popularity. Evaluations have emerged stating that it contributed to revitalizing the local economy while showcasing the charm of a leisurely rural life and local restaurants.
◇ Touching the earth to heal in Andong 'Tarak Todak'
Where can one find easy access countryside vacation spots? 'Tarak Todak,' operated as a healing farm with a café in Andong, is considered one of the best places for a countryside vacation with family. This location is one of the 'Top 8 Countryside Vacation Destinations' selected by the Rural Development Administration.
Tarak Todak, with a lawn garden of 100 pyeong and a vegetable garden of 500 pyeong, offers various experiences related to the earth. The name 'Tarak Todak' is derived from the meaning of 'finding joy in the soil (土樂) and receiving comfort from the soil,' as conveyed by its representative, Kwon Suk-hee.
Entering the lawn garden of Tarak Todak, one can see the Nakdong River and Andongcheon at a glance. Representative Kwon stated, "To secure an unobstructed view, we did not build walls or even low fences," adding, "Sitting in camping chairs while drinking tea and watching the sunset is also one of the healing programs."
The first attraction that catches the eye is the 'dirt playground.' Nowadays, urban playgrounds use materials like urethane or rubber mats for the ground. Dirt and sand playgrounds are hard to find. Opportunities to touch the soil and engage in dirt play, like building sandcastles, have diminished.
There's nothing special about it. Together with children, creating canals in the dirt playground, sprinkling water, building castles with wet soil, or drawing pictures on the ground are all there is to it. As they play in the dirt while feeling the breeze from a fan, children's faces, covered in dirt and sweat, break into smiles.
Dirt play leads to pottery making. From making plates with clay to creating ceramic cups from drawn images, various pottery experience programs are available.
After finishing dirt play, a farming experience awaits. Participants can plant vegetables in the vegetable garden and pick them once they grow.
For children who have only seen vegetables sold in supermarkets, this is an opportunity to learn how vegetable plants look and grow through sight and touch. Even children who usually dislike eating vegetables are eager to taste the vegetables they pick, making it an opportunity for dietary education. At dinner, where grilled meat is enjoyed with freshly picked vegetables, the children eagerly boast, 'This is the vegetable I picked.'
Representative Kwon noted, "I have seen many people find stability and restore relationships through the various experiences of touching the earth," adding, "From the region's perspective, tourist visits provide significant support." She further encouraged, "I actively recommend spending a countryside vacation that allows both me, my family, and the local community to recover."
Currently, there are over 550 healing-type experiential farms operating nationwide. The Rural Development Administration plans to increase these healing experiential farms to 800 by next year.
◇ The government supports local tourism... Special disaster areas to receive 'more' benefits
At the government level, policies to promote local travel, such as 'countryside vacations,' are being implemented. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, private consumption in non-capital regions has been below that of the capital region since 2002, with the gap continuing to widen.
Compared to 2002, private consumption in the capital region increased by 72.6% by 2023, but during the same period, growth in local private consumption was limited to 52.9%. Recently, consumer recovery in the capital region has shown clear signs of improvement following the distribution of the livelihood recovery subsidy, while recovery in local regions remains slow.
To address the stagnation of local consumption, the government will issue 800,000 accommodation coupons for non-capital regions through the 'Accommodation Sale Festa' this month. The first issuance will take place from the 20th of this month to October 30th, with a second issuance scheduled from November 3rd to December 7th.
When reserving accommodation products in non-capital regions, a discount of up to 30,000 won is provided if the accommodation cost exceeds 70,000 won. If the travel destination is a 'special disaster area' affected by wildfires or flooding, a discount of up to 50,000 won will be supported. For accommodation costs below 70,000 won, support of 20,000 won (30,000 won for special disaster areas) is provided.
Areas designated as special disaster zones so far include Andong, Uiseong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok in Gyeongbuk, Sanchung, Hadong, and Hapcheon in Gyeongnam, Uljin in Ulsan, Gapyeong in Gyeonggi, Seosan and Yesan in Chungnam, and Jeonnam and Gwangju.
Up until October 9, individuals who purchase products from small business owners in non-capital regions for over 50,000 won will be eligible for a lottery for prizes. The first prize is 20 million won, which will be awarded to a total of 10 people. The second prize is 2 million won for 50 people, the third prize is 1 million won for 600 people, and the fourth prize is 100,000 won for 1,365 people. Prizes will be given in the form of digital onuri gift certificates.
A promotion is also being held where those who use digital onuri gift certificates in special disaster areas will receive a 20% refund on their spending during the special refund period. This means one can receive both discount benefits when purchasing digital onuri gift certificates and a refund for double benefits.