The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) together with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is actively promoting the charm of local tourism and boost consumption through domestic travel from May 14 (Tue) to June 30 (Sun) with the “June Travel Month” campaign.

Last February, the government designated “Travel Month” as one of its major policies to stabilize people’s livelihood, implementing the policy in March and June for the first time this year. During the “March Travel Month” campaign, the nation’s total travel volume (269 million people) and tourism consumption (KRW 13.5 trillion) increased by about 3.1% year over year, revitalizing local tourism across the country even during a usually slower travel season. For the “June Travel Month” campaign, more than 240 organizations, including the central government, local governments, and the private sector, have prepared a wider range of abundant benefits and offerings than in March.

Provide Discounts of up to 50% on railways and airlines, special discounts in regions with digital tourist ID cards, and KRW 20,000–50,000 discount vouchers for accommodations nationwide

First, the scope and content of transportation discounts have been expanded since March. Discounts on Korea Train Express (KTX) tickets (50% on weekdays, 30% on weekends), a 50% discount on tourist train fares, and a Naeilro Pass discount for young people (KRW 10,000) will be available through the KORAIL app, website, or on-site ticketing when purchased in combination with existing local tourism–linked products (accommodations, experience tickets, etc.). Benefits also include a 50% discount on inland flight fares (KRW 20,000) and city tour bus fares. In June, considering the demand for travel with pets, a discount on pet airfare will be added. Travelers can pre-purchase railroad and airline discount tickets starting May 16 (or June 1 for pet fare discounts). The tickets are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

By visiting a population-declining area participating in the Digital Tourism Resident Card program, travelers can enjoy various travel discounts, including accommodations, foods and drinks, sightseeing, and activities. The Digital Tourism Resident Card has been adopted by 15 local governments, with 19 more to follow this year (including Yeongwol-gun in Gangwon-do, Andong-si in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Jangheung-gun in Jeollanam-do). Services in newly added municipalities will be available starting on June 1 in time with the beginning of the “Travel Month” (discounts for a total of 34 municipalities and 800 tourist attractions). In collaboration with KORAIL, KTX discounts for areas where Digital Tourism Resident Cards are newly issued. A 35% discount on KTX tickets to 12 nearby stations in Digital Tourism Resident Card areas will be available if purchased during specific hours (9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.). Train passengers bound for one of these areas can receive KRW 20,000 KTX discount vouchers by claiming on-site discount vouchers at a business establishment participating in the Digital Tourism Resident Card program.

A total of 250,000 accommodation discount vouchers will also be provided. Discount vouchers worth KRW 50,000 for accommodation products priced over KRW 70,000 in 12 metropolitan cities and provinces across the country, including Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon State, will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis from May 28 (Tue) to May 30 (Thur). Starting on June 3 (Mon), a KRW 20,000 or 30,000 discount voucher will be issued that travelers can use when making a reservation for accommodation products worth KRW 20,000 or more in areas outside the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Discounts for Korea Quality–certified accommodations and KRW 10,000 discounts for registered camping sites will also be made available one after another.

Unique regional travel products available only during Travel Month, including culture and arts festivals, rural experiences, gourmet tours, and bicycle tours

The MCST has prepared special regional travel products to meet the diverse needs of travelers for exhibitions, viewings, leisure sports, and local cultural and artistic resources. More than 130 tourism products across around 70 areas will be provided, including the “Gurye Solo Trip” for a relaxing tourism experience, the “Gyechon Classic Festival Tour” with art, the “Namwon Art Tour at a Slow Pace,” the “Gongju Pilgrimage” where you can feel the charm of the region, and the “Look At Me Miryang Tour”, and “Gyeongju Hwangchon Stay” and the gourmet-themed “Old Shop Tour with an Old Writer.” If you want to stay longer in the region, you can find over 130 travel products in over 70 regions.

For those planning a bicycle trip, the train tour “Local Trip on Two Wheels” is recommended. In this tour, travelers load their bicycles onto a train and head to the destination. The MCST operates five travel programs in connection with “DMZ Peace Trail,” Sapsido Fishing Village Experience Village, and Gochang UNESCO World Heritage Site. Scheduled offerings also include “Untangodo Bicycle Riding” and the “Daegu Otgol Village Tour on Two Wheels.” In addition, the ministry will organize the Welchon Rural Travel Product Discount campaign (up to 50% off) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Rural Community Corporation.

There are a lot of fun things to do, including Hidden Tourist Attractions and exhibitions, which are only available in June

During “Travel Month,” the MCST will designate and operate “Hidden Tourist Attractions” among places and experiences that are open only during specific periods or were previously close to the public. With cooperation from the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the ministry has scheduled highly recommended special events such as the Seomjingang River Clam Fishing, the Jukbangryeom Fishing in the Jijok Strait of the South Sea, and the Asan Oeam Folk Village Cultural Heritage Night Trip. In addition, Yecheon Seoksongryeong, a natural monument symbolizing wealth and longevity, will be open to the public in June. Also joining the “Travel Month” campaign are famous cultural and exhibition spaces, such as Arte Museum (Gangneung, Jeju, Yeosu), known for its media art exhibitions, and Haslla Art World, which offers a combination of Gangneung’s nature and works of art. However, all discount benefits may end early if the budget is exhausted, so it is best to make reservations in advance according to travel plans.

One-day train trip “Yeogiro” for 1,000 randomly selected participants, and a “Travel Friend YEO Jin Goo” tour with actor YEO Jin Goo

The “Yeogiro” campaign (local travel on a train in Travel Month), which received an overwhelmingly positive response with an acceptance rate of 76:1 in the last “March Travel Month,” will continue in June. The MCST has prepared 12 routes where visitors can experience local activities, traditional culture, and history in a one-day train trip to 14 small cities. For only KRW 49,000, the tour covers transportation, meals, and admission to tourist attractions. The campaign will accommodate 1,000 people, with exclusive trains for “Yeogiro” operating four times on June 1 (Sat), 7 (Fri), 14 (Fri), and 15 (Sat) (the June 14 tour departs from Busan Station). Each visitor can book a tour for up to four people, including themselves. The gourmet tour train on June 1 is available only for households with two or more children, and up to six people can register. Participants will be randomly selected, and detailed information can be found on the official website (korean.visitkorea.or.kr/travelmonth).

The MCST also scheduled a “Travel Friend YEO Jin Goo” with actor YEO Jin Goo, who was selected as the model for the “June Travel Month” campaign. Participants have a chance to enjoy a day of healing by visiting an art museum and walking through a birch forest with the actor in the Yanggu and Inje regions. Applications for “Travel Friend YEO Jin Goo” are accepted from May 14 to 20, with 20 people randomly selected from the applicants.

The campaign also offers various discount benefits and travel-related prizes provided by participating organizations, such as a 50% discount on admission fees to the Cheorwon Hantangang Columnar Joint Road, a KRW 50,000 discount on Jeju Sehwa Village travel products and haenyeo (female diver) activities, and free admission to Shinan Jeungdo Salt Field/Salt Cave.

More information about “Travel Month” benefits, event schedules, participation processes, and more can be found on the official website (korean.visitkorea.or.kr/travelmonth). Travelers are advised to review the information in advance, as the available periods and terms may vary depending on the discount benefit or travel program. Related information can also be found by searching for “Travel Month” on a portal site.

Minister YU In Chon said, “We worked with various participating organizations to prepare a variety of programs that allow travelers to experience the unique culture and charm of the region, as well as money-saving benefits to lower travel burden for the people. During June Travel Month, I hope that everyone in the country will enjoy domestic travel with a light heart and that every corner of Korea will be bustling with local tourism.”