As the fall travel season approaches, visitors staying two nights or more in Gwangju, South Korea, can receive discounts of up to $70 through the 'Accommodation Sale Festival.'
The Gwangju Metropolitan City, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, aims to reduce accommodation costs and attract more tourists to the region.
Discount vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. daily through participating online travel agencies until November 8. Both the issuance and stay periods extend until November 8, and the program may end early if the allocated vouchers run out.
The discount amount varies based on the accommodation price and duration of stay.
For accommodations in Gwangju and other non-capital areas, reservations of products priced between $20 and $70 will receive a $20 discount, while those over $70 will receive a $30 discount. Notably, guests booking two or more consecutive nights with a total payment of $140 or more can receive a $70 discount.
Regions with islands offer even greater discounts.
In Gwangju, 13 cities, including Gangjin, Goheung, Gwangyang, Mokpo, Muan, Boseong, Sinan, Yeosu, Yeonggwang, Wando, Jangheung, Jindo, and Haenam, are included in the 'island region' category. Accommodations in these areas will provide a $30 discount for products priced between $30 and $70, and a $50 discount for those over $70.
For instance, if a visitor books accommodation priced over $70 in Yeosu, Sinan, or Wando, they can apply a $50 discount voucher, significantly reducing the cost for fall travelers to the islands.
Vouchers can be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis, with each person eligible for one voucher. Only registered domestic accommodations under the Tourism Promotion Act and Public Health Management Act are eligible; day-use facilities, camping sites, and foreign city lodging are excluded.
Discount vouchers must be used within the specified validity period after issuance. Vouchers issued at 10 a.m. each day are valid until 7 a.m. the following day and will automatically expire if not used. Availability may also be limited by each participating travel agency, so checking before booking is advised.
The Gwangju Metropolitan City anticipates that this accommodation discount initiative will alleviate the financial burden on tourists during the fall season while encouraging day trips to evolve into extended stays that include lodging, dining, and sightseeing.
Oh Mi-kyung, head of the tourism department at Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated, “We organized this event to reduce accommodation costs for tourists during the fall travel season and to expand local tourism consumption. We hope visitors enjoy a wonderful autumn trip while experiencing local festivals, including the Yeosu World Island Expo and the Gwangju Biennale, along with the culinary delights of Namdo.”
Meanwhile, details on participating online travel agencies and how to issue and use discount vouchers can be found on the official website of the Korea Accommodation Sale Festival. Vouchers are non-transferable and cannot be used if purchased through second-hand transactions outside of participating online travel agencies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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