Journalist
Ki Su-jung
violet1701@ajunews.com
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South Korea Tightens Oversight of Local Tourism Projects With New Performance Rules The South Korean government is moving to curb chronic budget waste and delays in regional tourism development projects by tightening oversight of local governments and expanding performance-based management. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it promulgated an amendment to the Tourism Promotion Act on April 28 that introduces a performance management system for subsidy-supported projects run by local governments. The revised law will take effect Oct. 29. The amendment calls for a comprehensive management framework covering the full project cycle, from planning through completion and post-completion. The ministry said the move reflects a push to address repeated concerns raised during the National Assembly’s annual settlement reviews about weak performance and insufficient management of regional tourism projects. ◆ Tighter reviews for projects of 10 billion won or more; tailored consulting for delays The ministry outlined three main changes. First, projects with total costs of 10 billion won or more will be designated as priority evaluation targets. Authorities will assess implementation results and analyze economic effects, then feed identified problems back into the projects with recommended fixes. Second, the government will build a “Tourism Development Integrated Information System” to track the status of local projects receiving national subsidies, including administrative histories and lists of underperforming projects. Third, projects running at least 30% behind schedule compared with their plans will be eligible for tailored consulting by experts. The ministry said the support will diagnose causes of delays and offer solutions by area, including legal issues, construction, content planning and facility operations, to help projects finish on time. ◆ Higher bar for subsidies; dedicated agency to be named within the year Requirements for receiving national subsidies will also be tightened. Local governments seeking national funding will be required to submit documents proving they have secured project sites and completed reviews for local fiscal investment and loans. To help the new system take hold, the ministry said it plans to designate a dedicated agency within this year and prepare detailed implementation measures. Kang Jeong-won, director general for tourism policy at the ministry, said the performance management system would reduce similar or overlapping investments and help projects be completed on schedule. “It will improve the efficiency of fiscal investment and strengthen regional tourism competitiveness,” Kang said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 08:21:18 -
Lotte World adds MapleStory unit to daily parade, launches Pink Bean photo sessions Lotte World Adventure said Monday it will run a new MapleStory-themed parade segment and character photo sessions, building on the popularity of its “Maple Island Zone,” created in partnership with Nexon’s online game “MapleStory.” The Maple Island Zone at Lotte World’s Magic Island has drawn long lines since it opened on April 3, the company said. In response, Lotte World Adventure has added MapleStory elements to its “Let’s Play! Lotty’s Adventure Parade,” held daily at 2 p.m. on the first-floor parade route since April 24. The newly added MapleStory unit vehicle is inspired by Ludibrium, the game’s toy kingdom. MapleStory characters Orange Mushroom and Slime lead the unit, followed by dancers themed as Brown Tenny, Pink Tenny, Blockpus and a drum-beating rabbit. The highlight is a Ludibrium-style vehicle designed like a colorful toy-block castle, with special effects including moving wind-up parts and spinning propellers. The boss monster Pink Bean rides on top and greets spectators. Lotte World is also introducing a character photo event, “Smile with MapleStory,” to extend the parade experience. The event will run twice daily through June 14, at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., visitors can take photos with Pink Bean at the first-floor Meeting Plaza. At 5:30 p.m., the photo session will be held at the seasonal photo zone across from the plaza. Details on locations and schedules are available on the Lotte World Adventure website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 07:48:27 -
Lotte Tour Development Revamps Jeju Dream Tower Food Court With Budget-Friendly Menu With dining costs rising, a five-star hotel in Jeju is betting on sharply lower prices. Lotte Tour Development has overhauled its food court at the Jeju Dream Tower integrated resort, rolling out a menu that starts with bakery items priced in the 1,000-won range and tteokbokki in the 4,000-won range. Lotte Tour Development said on 27 it reopened the renovated “Dream Food Court” on the third floor of Grand Hyatt Jeju inside the Jeju Dream Tower integrated resort. The renovation rebrands the former “Popup Plaza,” aiming to offer premium dishes cooked by five-star hotel chefs at prices comparable to street food. The venue kept its existing cafe and juice bar and added three new counters — Korean Fried, Korean Rice & Noodle, and a bunsik snack shop — to broaden choices. ◆ Five-star chefs, street-level prices Prices have been cut significantly. Popular Korean street-food staples such as gimbap and tteokbokki are priced in the 4,000- to 5,000-won range. Dishes including spicy pork rice bowls, kimchi fried rice and noodle items are kept under 10,000 won. Fried chicken is available in the 13,000-won range. The company said it is strengthening its lineup of reasonably priced Korean food to draw not only hotel guests but also walk-in visitors. ◆ Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours have also been extended. The food court will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., covering breakfast through late-night snacks. A “Morning Bakery Selection” runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., selling freshly baked croissants and salt bread in the 1,000-won range, targeting customers looking for a cheaper alternative to a breakfast buffet. Health-focused items such as salads, wellness juices and yogurt are also offered for under 8,000 won. All items are available for takeout through an “All day Grab & Go” service. Customers can pack sandwiches or bibimbap for outings to Jeju’s oreum hills or beaches, or bring chicken and fried items back to their rooms. “In a time when eating-out costs have become a burden, we raised both value and satisfaction so anyone can enjoy premium dishes prepared by five-star hotel chefs without 부담,” a company official said. “We will provide a wide range of dining experiences tailored to travel schedules and tastes.” Jeju Dream Tower, described by the company as a landmark for Jeju tourism, has 1,600 all-suite rooms and 14 food-and-beverage outlets staffed by global star chefs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 17:45:30 -
Korail to Run One-Day Gyeonggi DMZ Train Trip Linking Security Tours and Local Markets Korail Tourism Development will run a special, one-day “Gyeonggi-do DMZ Train” on May 2, aiming to pair security-focused tourism in the northern Gyeonggi Province Demilitarized Zone with support for local businesses. The trip is marketed as a value rail package in the 30,000-won range that links local festivals and traditional markets. The product was jointly planned with the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization and the Gyeonggi Northern Regional Headquarters of the Small Enterprise and Market Service. It will operate as a temporary commuter train on the Gyeongui Line, departing from Seoul Station and stopping at Ilsan and Munsan before heading to border areas. The day trip includes round-trip rail fare, connecting vehicles and experience fees, allowing travelers to visit a festival, DMZ-related sites and a traditional market in a single itinerary. Four themed courses will be offered. “DMZ Healing Therapy” includes Camp Greaves, DMZ forest healing and Munsan Jayu Market. “DMZ and Paleolithic Festival” visits the Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival and Jaein Falls. “Yeoncheon DMZ Close to Home” covers the Taepung Observatory, Jaein Falls and Jeongok Traditional Market. “Gimpo DMZ and a Relaxing Cup of Coffee” includes Gimpo Marine Park, Aegibong Peace Ecological Park, a millstone coffee experience and the Daemyeong Port seafood market. The promotion also targets spending in neighborhood commercial areas. All participants will receive either Onnuri gift certificates or Yeoncheon Love gift certificates to use during the trip for meals or local specialty purchases. Korail Tourism Development said it plans to maximize synergy with local merchants by operating on-site promotional booths timed to the government’s nationwide consumption campaign, the “2026 Companion Festival” (April 11-May 10), and the Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival (May 2-5). “We wanted to offer a richer experience by combining signature local content such as the Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival with rail travel,” said Lee Woo-hyeon, acting CEO of Korail Tourism Development. “We will continue to develop travel products that use the rail network to highlight hidden local attractions and bring vitality to neighborhood commercial districts.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 17:04:10 -
Survey: 56% of South Korean Women Prefer Family Trips, Prioritizing Time and Convenience Ahead of South Korea’s May “Family Month,” a Trip.com analysis found that more than half of South Korean women travelers are planning family trips, with many prioritizing time savings and easier logistics over simply cutting costs. Global travel platform Trip.com released its “Family Travel Insights” report on the 27th, analyzing trends among women travelers worldwide. The report said family travel was the most preferred option globally, and the preference was especially pronounced in South Korea, where 56% of women surveyed chose family travel. ◆ Willing to pay more for efficiency and convenience The share of family travelers choosing independent travel (FIT), rather than package tours, has been rising, Trip.com said. But that shift has also increased the burden of planning and managing itineraries. In the preparation stage for trips with children, respondents cited the greatest fatigue from planning daily schedules and packing (38%), meal planning (36%) and arranging child-friendly attractions and activities (30%). During the trip, the biggest stressor was flight and layover time (35%), followed by choosing meals (33%) and adjusting schedules and travel pace (31%). As a result, Trip.com said South Korean family travelers are more willing to spend to reduce inconvenience. Women traveling with children showed strong willingness to pay extra for services that ease the process, including assigning family seats together on flights (24%), family package passes for attractions (22%) and fast-track tickets (18%). ◆ Family travel preferences vary by destination Trip.com said choices of accommodations and attractions have also shifted to family-centered criteria. For lodging, respondents prioritized family-friendly meal options (36%), ample space (35%) and children’s activities (33%). For attractions, they cited safety standards (42%), value for money (36%) and whether fast-track entry is available (27%). While the overall preference for family travel was similar globally, Trip.com said styles differed by region. Europe favored all-inclusive packages, while Japan emphasized travel convenience such as nonstop flights and securing family seating. Singapore prioritized flexible schedules and child-focused activities, and Thailand placed greater weight on an overall family-friendly experience, from meals to facilities. Trip.com said it is expanding family-focused services, including providing personalized itineraries and budget information through its AI-based travel assistant, “TripGenie.” “As demand for family travel rises worldwide, the value of shared experiences is growing,” said Hong Jong-min, head of Trip.com’s Korea branch. He said the company will continue expanding services that reduce the burden across the entire travel process and improve satisfaction.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 13:25:14 -
Kensington Hotels & Resorts Launches 'Gangwon Flex' Multi-Property Stay Package E-Land Park’s Kensington Hotels & Resorts is rolling out an integrated package that links three of its major hotel and resort properties in Gangwon Province, aiming to capture growing demand for longer, stay-focused travel by sharing benefits across mountain and coastal locations. ◆ Targeting longer stays beyond single-property limits Kensington Hotels & Resorts said Sunday it is selling an upgraded “Gangwon Flex” package, connecting three Gangwon-area properties — Kensington Hotel Seorak and Kensington Resort Seorak Valley and Seorak Beach — through June 30. The package is designed around the geographic advantage of Seoraksan and the East Sea coast, with the properties located within about a 20-minute drive. The company said the goal is to link local hubs to move beyond the limits of staying at a single resort and to build a virtuous cycle for longer-term stays. Gangwon Flex, first introduced last year, ranked No. 1 in sales among the company’s packages. This year, Kensington said it expanded the range of shared benefits between properties and strengthened special room-rate discounts to match the long-stay trend. ◆ Bigger savings for longer stays; cross-property access highlighted To ease travelers’ 부담 amid high prices, the company applies tiered room rates so benefits increase for longer stays, such as two nights or three nights and more. Kensington said the package’s key feature is a cross-property access system. Regardless of where guests stay, they can use a dedicated coupon provided at check-in to use major facilities at all three properties. Benefits include breakfast buffet for two, two welcome drinks, a 10% discount at on-site outlets, two packs for an Animal Farm feeding experience (Seorak Valley), an ocean sauna for two (Seorak Beach), and a free parking pass at Kensington Hotel Seorak when visiting Gwongeumseong at Seoraksan. A Kensington Hotels & Resorts official said Gangwon Flex “goes beyond a simple lodging product” by organically connecting local infrastructure to maximize the value of guests’ stays, adding that the company will continue to closely analyze travel patterns and offer more refined, customized content.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 10:30:18 -
Grand Korea Leisure Named a “Life Guardian” in 2026 Cheonmyeong Project Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) said Monday it has been appointed a “Cheonmyeong guardian” for the government’s “2026 Cheonmyeong Project,” overseen by the Office for Government Policy Coordination’s Life Guardian Promotion Headquarters. The project name, “Cheonmyeong,” carries a double meaning: “1,000 lives” and a person’s innate lifespan, or destiny (天命). A total of 44 organizations, including GKL, were selected as guardians and are expected to play a central role in spreading a culture of respect for life. GKL President Yoon Doo-hyun said the company will “actively participate in the nationwide effort to expand a culture of respect for life,” adding that it will fulfill its role as a public enterprise by helping ease social isolation among marginalized neighbors and supporting their recovery of the will to live. GKL said it is also running a range of community programs, including the “3-Go” initiative supporting at-risk households outside the formal welfare system, a recovery program for residents of Seoul Station’s jjokbang neighborhoods, the “Pyeolchyeodeurim” program for youth in education-vulnerable groups, and training environmental leaders through ESG partnerships. The company said it has been named a recognized community-contribution company for seven consecutive years since 2019. 2026-04-27 10:10:23 -
KTO, Aero K Aim to Raise Foreign Passenger Share at Cheongju Airport to 35% by 2028 Korea Tourism Organization and Aero K Airlines are teaming up to develop Cheongju International Airport as a new gateway for “K-tourism,” aiming to spread inbound travel beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. The two sides said they plan to lift the share of foreign passengers using Cheongju Airport to as high as 35% by 2028, more than triple the current level. ◆ Deal targets inbound growth via regional airport KTO said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Aero K on April 24 at its Seoul Center to expand foreign visitor arrivals through Cheongju Airport and boost regional tourism. The agreement is intended to diversify entry routes for visitors to South Korea by using regional airports and to generate demand for travel outside the capital region. Cheongju Airport, a hub for central South Korea, was cited as having strong growth potential. In the first quarter of this year, international passengers at Cheongju Airport jumped 67.6% from a year earlier, KTO said. However, foreign travelers accounted for only about 11% of total users, leaving room for further growth. KTO plans to work with Aero K, which operates about 70% of Cheongju’s international routes, to expand key Asia routes and step up efforts to attract overseas visitors. ◆ Joint marketing to focus on Taiwan, Japan and Southeast Asia Under the agreement, the organizations said they will pursue joint marketing through 2028, including developing region-specific tour products linked to air routes, supporting charter flights and Cheongju-linked packages, hosting familiarization tours for overseas travel companies, and offering airfare discount promotions. They also outlined route-specific strategies. For the Taipei, Taiwan, route, which has a relatively high share of foreign passengers, they plan to strengthen promotions that bundle flights and lodging. In Japan, they will look beyond Tokyo and Osaka by seeking charter flights from smaller regional cities and running familiarization tours to develop new demand. They also plan to attract more visitors from Southeast Asia by linking promotions to a new Manila route scheduled to launch in September. Aero K recently secured traffic rights for 13 weekly flights across four China routes: Beijing (four per week), Shanghai (three), Chengdu (three) and Hangzhou (three), the organizations said. “By increasing foreign visitor inflows through regional airports, we will spread tourism flows that are concentrated in the capital region across the country,” KTO President Park Seong-hyeok said. He added that KTO will strengthen cooperation with airlines to support growth in inbound demand despite external changes such as high oil prices. 2026-04-27 10:05:01 -
Modetour Named Honorary Tourism Ambassador for Chenzhou, China Modetour has been appointed an honorary tourism ambassador for Chenzhou, a city in China’s Hunan province, and said it will use the role to strengthen its travel products through closer cooperation with local state-owned companies. The company said Sunday that it met with officials from Chenzhou’s culture and tourism authorities and the city government from April 22-24 to discuss ways to expand tourism exchanges. At a ceremony on April 23, Modetour was formally appointed and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Chenzhou Culture Investment Tourism Group, a leading local state-owned enterprise that operates major attractions including Mangshan and Bichon Mountain. Attendees included Lee Woo-yeon, head of product planning at Modetour; Song Heon-taek, head of the company’s China business division; and Li Hui, director of Chenzhou’s culture and media bureau. Modetour said site inspections helped it secure preferential access to local tourism facilities and set directions for developing products linking key attractions. Interest among South Korean travelers has also risen sharply, the company said. Modetour’s figures show April bookings for Chenzhou package tours jumped 470% from the same period last year, the fastest growth among China destinations. Modetour said it has upgraded its flagship product, the “Chenzhou 5 Days,” by combining Korean Air flights with high-speed rail to cut travel time. The itinerary includes five-star hotels throughout and is sold as no-tipping, no-optional-tours and no-shopping. Stops include the Mangshan scenic area, Xiaodongjiang, Gaoyiling and Dusol Cave, described by the company as the world’s only lake island cave formed 300 million years ago. “Chenzhou’s outstanding natural and cultural tourism resources can now be introduced in earnest to travelers in Korea,” Lee said. “Through close cooperation with local partners, we will improve product quality and help create new demand in the China travel market.” 2026-04-27 08:45:17 -
South Korea Expands ‘Half-Price Vacation’ Program to 145,000, Adds Extra Aid for Regional Workers The South Korean government is sharply expanding eligibility for its “half-price vacation” support program to mark Labor Day, newly designated as a legal public holiday. The program, initially set for 100,000 people, will grow to 145,000 with funding from a supplementary budget. Officials said the move is aimed at easing workers’ travel costs amid high prices and boosting sluggish regional tourism. Regional workers will receive an additional 20,000 won in government support to encourage a virtuous cycle in domestic demand. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said they will begin additional recruitment of participating companies for the Worker Vacation Support Program starting on the 27th. ◆ Supplementary budget adds 45,000 more; regional workers get 20,000 won extra Under the additional recruitment, 35,000 workers at small and medium-sized companies and 10,000 at mid-sized firms will newly receive benefits. A key change is preferential support for workers based outside the capital area. Regional workers will receive an extra 20,000 won in government funding, bringing total vacation support to the equivalent of 420,000 won. The added support will also be applied retroactively to existing participants who work in regional areas, and the extra amount can be used immediately starting next month through the dedicated online mall, “Vacation Shop.” The ministry said the measure is intended to improve conditions for regional workers while stimulating local spending. ◆ From 30% off KTX to big-company ‘shared vacation’ support From the 30th, a monthlong promotion titled “Zero Departure Burden” will encourage travel by environmentally friendly public transportation. Travelers using KTX, rental cars or public-transportation packages can receive a 30% discount, capped at 30,000 won. Targeting the early May holiday period, the program will also offer lodging discount coupons worth up to 90,000 won and first-come, first-served welcome points for 10,000 new members. The ministry said a “shared vacation welfare model,” in which large companies cover the employee contribution for workers at partner firms, is also spreading. It cited CJ OnStyle’s recent support for vacation costs for 300 employees at partner companies. The ministry said it plans to use such cases as a catalyst to draw more participation from public institutions and large companies and to narrow welfare gaps in the labor market. Kang Jeong-won, director general for tourism policy at the ministry, said the goal is to “quickly restore the domestic market through swift execution of the supplementary budget,” adding that the ministry will help ensure “tangible benefits” for regional workers and bring more activity to local businesses. 2026-04-27 08:15:20