The "Digital Tourism Resident Card" service aimed at revitalizing tourism in declining population areas will significantly expand. Additionally, a large-scale lodging discount event targeting non-capital regions is expected to energize local tourism this summer.
On June 8, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will increase the number of local governments participating in the Digital Tourism Resident Card program from 44 to 52 in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization.
The eight new local governments joining the program include Boeun County in North Chungcheong Province, Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province, Goheung, Damyang, and Wando Counties in South Jeolla Province, Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province, and Sancheong and Hamyang Counties in South Gyeongsang Province.
With the addition of these new regions, the number of locations where visitors can enjoy benefits from the Digital Tourism Resident Card has increased from about 1,100 to over 1,400. Notable new benefits include a 30% discount at the Wando Marine Healing Center, a 35% discount on the Damyang Air Experience, and a 25% discount on the Wangpicheon Cable Car in Uljin.
To promote the expanded service, an event will be held from June 22 to 30 at a pop-up store in Starfield Suwon for registration verification. An invitation event linked to the Andong "Hahoe Seonyu Fire Festival" is also planned.
Gang Dong-jin, the tourism policy director at the Ministry, stated, "Recently, the Tourism Promotion Act was amended to include provisions that support the sustainable and stable operation of the Digital Tourism Resident Card. The Ministry will gather opinions from various sectors until November to revise the enforcement ordinance, which will refine the issuance criteria and benefit standards, preparing for qualitative growth beyond mere expansion. We will work with local governments to provide more benefits to digital tourists, establishing the card as a practical measure to increase the resident population in declining areas."
In conjunction with the expansion of the Digital Tourism Resident Card, the "Summer Lodging Sale Festival" will run from June 11 to July 31, aimed at extending the stay of visitors. The event will include hotels, condos, resorts, and pensions located in 85 local governments in non-capital regions.
Lodging discount vouchers will be available starting at 10 a.m. on June 11 through online travel agency channels, limited to one per person on a first-come, first-served basis.
This year, a new "Extended Stay Discount Voucher" has been introduced to alleviate the burden on long-term travelers. For reservations of one night, discounts of 30,000 won for stays over 70,000 won and 20,000 won for stays under that amount will be offered. For two or more nights, discounts of 70,000 won for reservations over 140,000 won and 50,000 won for reservations under that amount will be provided.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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