Starting in April, travelers to rural and fishing village areas with declining populations will be able to get half of their expenses back.
The Ministry of Planning and Budget and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on the 27th that, together with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), they selected 16 local governments to participate in the pilot project for "hometown vacation support." Specifically, Pyeongchang County, Yeongwol County and Hoengseong County in Gangwon; Jecheon in North Chungcheong; Gochang County in North Jeolla; Gangjin County, Yeonggwang County, Haenam County, Goheung County, Wando County and Yeongam County in South Jeolla; and Miryang, Hadong County, Hapcheon County, Geochang County and Namhae County in South Gyeongsang were selected.
With a total budget of 6.5 billion won, the program refunds 50% of travel expenses to tourists visiting rural and fishing village areas with declining populations, paid as mobile local gift certificates. The refund cap is up to 100,000 won per person. For groups of two or more, up to 200,000 won can be refunded.
People 18 and older who want to participate must first apply in advance to the relevant local government for approval of their travel plan. After completing the trip, they submit supporting documents for lodging fees, experience fees and other expenditure, and, after verification by the local government, receive mobile gift certificates.
The refunded gift certificates must be used within this year and can be used at affiliated merchants in the area or on online malls that sell local specialties. However, specifics such as application timing, documentation methods and where the certificates can be used vary by region, so advance confirmation is necessary. Ahead of the full launch in April, the government plans to provide guidance on eligible regions and detailed procedures through the "Korea Travel Guide" website.
The government plans to expand the program by publicly recruiting four additional regions in the second half. After evaluating the results of this year's pilot, it intends to gradually expand the target regions starting next year.
Minister Chae Hwi-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) said, "This is a meaningful project to refine successful local government models and spread them nationwide," adding, "We will work closely with local governments so that it becomes an opportunity to reinvigorate regions struggling with population decline."