Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City Launches Nation’s First “Island Half-Price Travel” with Refunds up to 100,000 Won
Operation on 16 Islands in 8 Cities and Counties Starting August 29
50% of Travel Costs Refunded via Local Currency
Applications Open from August 10 on JG TOUR App and Website
The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City is introducing the nation’s first “Island Half-Price Travel” program, which refunds half of tourism expenses, ahead of the “2026 Jeonnam Gwangju Year of Visiting Islands” and the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
On August 6, the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City announced that the “Island Half-Price Travel” initiative will run from August 29 to November 4 across 16 islands in 8 cities and counties: Mokpo, Yeosu, Goheung, Boseong, Gangjin, Yeonggwang, Jindo, and Shinan.
The Island Half-Price Travel policy is a tourism support program that refunds 50% of travel costs—including transportation, lodging, meals, and activities—up to a maximum of 100,000 won, via a mobile local currency, for tourists who reside outside these cities and counties.
The program aims to reduce travel costs for visitors, while also encouraging extended stays and boosting local consumption.
Tourists wishing to participate can pre-register through the 'JG TOUR' app or website, at least five days before their planned departure, starting from August 10. To apply, visitors must upload an ID that verifies their residence; after the approval process, participation will be confirmed.
During the trip, participants are required to use the local currency app (Chak·Geurigo) of the city or county where each island is located for payments at partner accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and activity facilities. If a traveler spends more than 50,000 won in island areas, expenses at local partner merchants within the same city or county are also recognized to improve user convenience.
After completing the trip, participants can apply for a refund via the JG TOUR app within 10 days. After confirming local currency payment history and evidence of tourism-related spending, officials will review eligibility and refund half of the total eligible spending in mobile local currency. The refunded local currency can be reused within the region or on local online marketplaces.
The metropolitan city also plans various related marketing efforts, including joint promotions linked to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s “2026 Year of Visiting Islands” and special offers via the JG TOUR app, such as lodging discounts and buy-one-get-one-free tour events.
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Choi Youngju, Director of Tourism at Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, stated, “The Island Half-Price Travel policy is not simply a travel support program—it is a policy designed to revitalize longer, experience-based tourism where visitors stay on and spend in local islands. We aim to successfully establish this nation’s first model, set new standards in Korean island tourism, and contribute to the success of both the 2026 Jeonnam Gwangju Year of Visiting Islands and the Yeosu World Island Expo.”
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