"Is It Really Necessary to Go Abroad?"... Government Rolls Out Extra Budget for Summer Vacation [The Essentials of Benefits]

300,000 coupons issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting June 11

Accommodation discounts available in 85 population-declining regions

Editor's Note'The more you know, the more you see. The more you know, the more you save.' We live in an age overflowing with information, but there are still many things we miss out on simply because we do not know about them. In [The Basics of Benefits], we deliver useful tips that can save you money in everyday life—news that, if you know, will benefit you, and if you miss, will cost you.

As the summer vacation season approaches, a discount event aimed at reducing domestic accommodation costs is set to begin. This event was organized with an additional supplementary budget of 11.2 billion won and will operate by distributing 300,000 accommodation discount coupons. Getty Images

#Mr. A, an office worker in his 30s working in Seoul, felt the burden of expenses while planning his summer vacation. Hotel, pension, and resort prices rise ahead of the peak season, and costs can become significant just for a single night when traveling with family or friends. Mr. A decided to look for discount benefits available for domestic travel.

Recently, as the cost of travel-related expenses has increased, more consumers preparing for summer vacations are growing concerned about the cost of accommodation. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Consumer Price Trends for May 2026, last month’s consumer price index rose 3.1% compared to the same month last year. Major travel-related spending categories—including food and accommodation, leisure and culture, and transportation—also increased year-on-year. The Ministry of Data and Statistics explained that the May holidays pushed up the price of personal services related to travel, and that hotel room rates and other travel and accommodation items also contributed to inflation.

A bustling scene at Seoul Station filled with homebound travelers and tourists. The Asia Business Daily DB

Amid these trends, a discount event is being launched ahead of the summer vacation season to reduce the burden of domestic accommodation costs. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization will hold the '2026 Summer Accommodation Sale Festa' from June 11 to July 31. This event has been prepared by allocating an additional supplementary budget of 11.2 billion won and will operate by distributing 300,000 accommodation discount coupons.

The Accommodation Sale Festa coupons will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis every day from 10 a.m. between June 11 and July 31, and the check-in period is within the same dates. Each person can receive one coupon through participating online travel agency channels, and the coupons can be used only in 85 non-metropolitan local governments with declining populations, excluding Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.

30,000 won Discount per Night, 70,000 won for Multiple Nights

Accommodation Sale Festa. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The discount amount varies depending on the accommodation cost and the type of stay. For a one-night stay, you can receive a 30,000 won discount for reservations of 70,000 won or more, and a 20,000 won discount for reservations under 70,000 won. For bookings of two or more consecutive nights, the discounts are even greater: a 70,000 won discount applies to bookings of 140,000 won or more, and a 50,000 won discount applies to bookings under 140,000 won.

However, it is important to pay attention to the price criteria. The one-night coupon for stays under 70,000 won applies to accommodation products priced at 20,000 won or more including VAT, and the multi-night coupon for stays under 140,000 won applies to accommodation products priced at 50,000 won or more including VAT. Whether the discount can be applied may vary depending on the accommodation price, duration of stay, and product selected.

For example, if you book a one-night stay costing 80,000 won, you can use the 30,000 won discount coupon and pay only 50,000 won. For a two-night or longer trip, booking accommodation priced at 160,000 won would allow you to apply a 70,000 won discount, resulting in a net cost of 90,000 won. The longer the stay—such as for family or long-distance trips—the more beneficial it may be to check the multi-night discount coupons.

Coupons can be used to book domestic accommodations such as hotels, condos, resorts, and pensions. However, only businesses registered under the Tourism Promotion Act or Public Health Control Act are eligible, and hourly rental products or unregistered facilities are excluded from the discount event.

First-Come, First-Served—Check Eligible Regions and Payment Carefully

Songlim Park Forest Trail, Hadong County, Gyeongnam. The Asia Business Daily Database

You should also check in advance which regions are eligible for use. These coupons are not valid nationwide, but only apply to accommodation products in 85 non-metropolitan local governments with declining populations. These include Goseong County, Samcheok City, Yangyang County, and Pyeongchang County in Gangwon; Geochang County, Namhae County, and Hadong County in Gyeongnam; Andong City, Yeongju City, and Ulleung County in Gyeongbuk; Gangjin County, Boseong County, and Haenam County in Jeonnam; Namwon City and Muju County in Jeonbuk; Boryeong City and Taean County in Chungnam; and Jecheon City and Danyang County in Chungbuk, among others.

Receiving a coupon does not mean you can keep it indefinitely. You must complete your reservation between 10 a.m. on the day you receive the coupon and 7 a.m. the following day; if not used within this period, the coupon will automatically expire. Even if your coupon disappears due to non-use, you can try to receive a new one after 10 a.m. the next day, as long as the event is ongoing and coupons remain.

You can check participating online travel agencies and eligible regions on the official Accommodation Sale Festa website. The website lists participating agencies such as Yeogi Eottae, MyRealTrip, KakaoTalk Reservation, Coupang Travel, Hana Tour, 11Street, Gmarket, and others. However, as participating companies and eligible products may change depending on circumstances, it is safest to confirm at the payment stage whether the discount has actually been applied before completing your reservation.

If you are concerned about accommodation costs ahead of your summer vacation, it is worth checking out the Accommodation Sale Festa discount coupons in advance. Verifying the eligible regions, accommodation products, and coupon issuance times can help you reduce your accommodation expenses.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.