Half-Price Travel in Korea: 50% Refund for Trips to 16 Rural Regions Starting April
- FLip Korea
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
South Korea is launching a nationwide pilot program offering 50% refunds on travel expenses for trips to selected rural areas facing population decline. The initiative, officially titled the “Local Love Vacation Support Pilot Project” (Half-Price Travel Project), aims to revitalize regional tourism while making domestic travel more affordable.
The program will run from April to June, with possible expansion later this year.
What Is the Half-Price Travel Project?
Led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, the pilot project reimburses 50% of verified travel expenses in the form of mobile regional gift certificates.
The total government budget for the program is 6.5 billion won, and the initiative is designed to:
Boost tourism in rural areas
Combat regional depopulation
Encourage repeat visits
Support small local businesses
According to Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, the program aims to create successful local tourism models that can later expand nationwide.
Eligible Regions (16 Areas)
Travelers visiting the following regions will qualify for the refund:
Gangwon Province
PyeongChang
Yeongwol
Hoengseong
North Chungcheong
Jecheon
North Jeolla
Gochang
South Jeolla
Gangjin
Yeonggwang
Haenam
Goheung
Wando
Yeongam
South Gyeongsang
Miryang
Hadong
Hapcheon
Geochang
Namhae
These areas were selected from 84 rural regions experiencing population decline.
Who Can Apply?
Korean citizens aged 18 or older
Must submit a travel plan in advance to the participating local government
Must provide receipts and proof of expenses after completing the trip
Each municipality may have slightly different application schedules and document requirements.
Travelers are advised to check the official Visit Korea website:🔗 visitkorea.or.kr
How Much Can You Get Back?
Approved participants will receive:
Up to 100,000 won per person
Up to 200,000 won for groups of two or more
Refunds are issued as mobile local love gift certificates, not cash.
The vouchers:
Must be used before the end of the year
Can be spent at participating local businesses
May be used in online marketplaces selling regional specialties
Why This Matters
South Korea is facing increasing regional population decline outside major cities like Seoul and Busan. By encouraging domestic travel to lesser-known destinations, the government hopes to:
Stimulate local economies
Increase tourism revenue
Support small merchants
Create sustainable regional travel models
If the pilot proves successful, four additional regions may be added in the second half of the year, with plans for gradual nationwide expansion starting next year.
For travelers looking to explore Korea beyond the usual tourist hotspots, this half-price travel program offers a unique opportunity to experience rural destinations at a significant discount.
From coastal escapes in Namhae to mountain landscapes in Pyeongchang, now may be the perfect time to discover Korea’s hidden gems, while getting half your money back.
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