Culture Ministry to hand out vouchers for rural stays during Chuseok to boost tourism

The Culture Ministry will be handing out 200,000 accomodation vouchers for any Korean citizen looking to spend their Chuseok holidays outside the greater Seoul Area, it announced in a press release Tuesday.

A hanok (tranditional Korean house) stay in South Jeolla [JOONGANG ILBO]

The Culture Ministry will be handing out 200,000 accommodation vouchers for any Korean citizen looking to spend their Chuseok holidays outside the greater Seoul Area, it announced in a press release Tuesday.

The giveaway, dubbed "Korea Lodging Sale Festa" (translated), amassed 192.4 billion won ($144 million) in travel spending and drew 1.07 million visitors to rural areas in Korea when it was launched in early 2024. The government is hoping to see a similar revitalization in domestic travel through the upcoming coupon event this fall.

The coupons will become available starting 10 a.m. on Tuesday through over 40 online travel and e-commerce platforms, such as yanolja and Gmarket. They will be given out on a first come, first served basis. The vouchers can be used to book stays between Sept. 9 to Oct. 13 at legally registered facilities, including hotels, condos and resorts in Korea — excluding Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi.

For rooms costing 70,000 won or more, travelers can get a 30,000 won discount. Cheaper rooms get a 20,000 won discount.

Those who participated in the event earlier this year are eligible to also get the vouchers this time.

More information about the coupons and where to find them can be found at ktostay.visitkorea.or.kr or by calling 1670-3980.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]