Travel Benefits Expand in Population-Declining Areas... Digital Tourism Resident Card Now Available in 52 Locations

52 Out of 89 Population Decline Areas Now Participating
Additional Discounts Offered in Wando, Damyang, Uljin, and More

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced that, starting June 8, the "Digital Tourism Resident Card" service, which is operated to revitalize tourism in regions experiencing population decline, will be expanded from 44 to 52 locations.

Busan Yeongdo-gu Digital Tourism Resident Card. Korea Tourism Organization

The newly participating basic local governments include Boeun-gun in North Chungcheong Province, Sunchang-gun in North Jeolla Province, Goheung-gun, Damyang-gun, and Wando-gun in South Jeolla Province, Uljin-gun in North Gyeongsang Province, and Sancheong-gun and Hamyang-gun in South Gyeongsang Province, totaling eight locations. These regions were selected through an open call in April and, following preparation procedures, began offering the service on this day.

With this expansion, the number of regions operating the Digital Tourism Resident Card has increased to 52, which accounts for 58.4% of the 89 population decline areas designated nationwide by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The number of venues eligible for benefits has also risen by approximately 300, from about 1,100 to 1,400.

In the newly added areas, discounts will be offered mainly at tourist facilities, accommodations, and experience programs. The Wando Marine Healing Center in South Jeolla Province will offer a 30% discount, the Damyang Aviation Experience in Damyang, South Jeolla Province will offer a 35% discount, and the Wangpicheon Cable Car in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province will offer a 25% discount. The Goheung Buncheong Ceramic Museum and Wando Tower, both in South Jeolla Province, will each provide a 50% discount.

The Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization will also hold promotional events to encourage the use of the Digital Tourism Resident Card in conjunction with the service expansion. Starting June 22 through June 30, they will hold a promotional event at the Starfield Suwon pop-up store, and there will also be an invitation event for digital tourism residents in connection with the Hahoe Seonyu Julbulnori festival in Andong.

Kang Dongjin, Director of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "Recently, the Tourism Promotion Act was amended to include provisions for the sustainable and stable operation of the Digital Tourism Resident Card," adding, "We will gather feedback from various sectors by November to revise the overall operation, including the issuance requirements and benefit standards."

Director Kang further commented, "We will work together with local governments to provide even more benefits, so that the Digital Tourism Resident Card can become an effective system for increasing the resident population in regions with declining populations."

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