"Spend 200,000 Won, Get 100,000 Won Back?"... Government's Bold Move Unveiled [Essential Tips for Benefits]

50% Travel Expense Refund... Up to 140,000 Won for Young Adults

Jeonnam-Gwangju Island Half-Price Travel... Reimbursement in Local Currency

Editor's Note'The more you know, the more you see, and the more you save.' We live in an era overflowing with information, yet there are still many things we miss simply because we don't know them. In [Essential Tips for Benefits], we deliver useful updates that can help you save money in everyday life—or cost you if you miss them.

"Delayed Vacations, Shorter Trips"

Recently, more people are choosing to take their summer vacations late, avoiding the typical peak season and joining the ranks of so-called ‘late-cationers.’ Many are rescheduling their trips from the crowded ‘end of July to early August’ to the end of August or early to mid-September. This shift is seen as a response to this year's record-breaking heatwave and the increased burden of travel expenses, both of which have changed the way people use their vacation time.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

According to data analyzed by HotelsCombined and travel search engine Kayak, hotel searches by Koreans for trips departing between August 18 and September 13 this year increased by approximately 75% compared to the same period last year. Demand for delayed vacations is continuing through Chuseok. In a Skyscanner survey, 56% of the 1,000 Koreans surveyed said they plan to travel during the Chuseok holiday period.

On the other hand, people are opting for shorter and lighter trips. With rising prices, demand is increasing for budget-friendly travel that helps save on expenses. In the same survey, 22% responded that, for the Chuseok holiday at the end of September and the holiday in early October, they would choose the period when travel costs are lower.

As more travelers are looking to cut costs, attention is turning to the ‘Half-Price Travel’ program, which offers up to a 50% refund on travel expenses. Under this scheme, some of the expenses incurred at the travel destination are reimbursed in the form of local gift certificates.

"Spend 200,000 won at Your Destination, Get 100,000 Won Back" ... Up to 140,000 Won for Youth

The ‘Half-Price Travel’ program reimburses citizens who visit rural areas with declining populations up to half their travel expenses in the form of mobile local gift certificates. It was launched in April this year in 16 regions, including Pyeongchang, Yeongwol, and Hoengseong in Gangwon Province, Jecheon in North Chungcheong, Gangjin, Yeonggwang, Haenam, Goheung, Wando, and Yeongam in South Jeolla, and Miryang, Hadong, Hapcheon, Geochang, and Namhae in South Gyeongsang.

On August 27, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced that nine new regions will join the Half-Price Travel program for the second half of the year. These include Hwacheon-gun in Gangwon, Sancheong-gun in South Gyeongsang, Andong in North Gyeongsang, Seocheon-gun in South Chungcheong, and Jangheung-gun in Gwangju, South Jeolla.

General tourists will be reimbursed 50% of eligible expenses. Individuals can receive up to 100,000 won, while groups of two or more can receive up to 200,000 won in support.

Youth receive even more benefits. Under the Framework Act on Youth, those aged 19 to 34 are eligible to receive a 70% reimbursement, up to a maximum of 140,000 won per person. For families, groups of up to five people can receive support up to 500,000 won.

The reimbursement is provided not in cash, but as mobile local currency or local gift certificates, which can be used at affiliated stores or local online markets at the destination.

For detailed information about Half-Price Travel, please visit the "Visit Korea" website. Screenshot of the Visit Korea website

Advance Application Required for ‘Half-Price Travel’… Check Travel Period and Conditions by Region

Advance application and approval are required before traveling. The eligible travel periods and conditions vary by region. As applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis in multiple rounds, the program may close earlier than the posted deadline if the budget or participant quota is reached.

Once approval is granted, travelers must use the recognized payment methods specified by each local government during their trip for expenses such as accommodation, meals, or experiences. After the trip, they must submit receipts and proof of visit to apply for reimbursement.

It is also important to check the specific requirements for each region. For Sancheong, participants must visit at least two designated tourist sites, make purchases at two or more ZeroPay affiliates, and spend a minimum of 100,000 won. For Yeongcheon, tourists must submit proof of visiting at least two tourist sites. For Seocheon, travelers must visit at least one paid and one free tourist attraction.

The payment methods vary by region. In Sancheong, BeeplePay, the ZeroPay-affiliated app, is the primary payment tool, while credit card and cash receipts are exceptionally accepted for accommodation expenses only. In some places, such as Hwacheon, a credit or debit card in the name of the team leader is used as the main payment method.

Since travel periods and application periods vary by region, it is necessary to check the schedule in advance. Screenshot from the Korea Tourism Organization website

There are also residency restrictions. Applications may be limited if your registered address is adjacent to the destination region. Before applying, you should check on the Korea Tourism Organization website whether your address makes you eligible for specific regions.

Details including application schedule, travel periods, eligible expenses, and payment methods by region are available on the ‘Half-Price Travel’ section of the Korea Tourism Organization’s ‘Visit Korea’ website. It is safer to check whether you are eligible and what the pre-approval requirements are before booking accommodation or transportation.

Gwangju, South Jeolla 'Island Half-Price Travel' ... 50% of Expenses Refunded as Local Currency

The Gwangju-South Jeolla Special Metropolitan City is running the 'Island Half-Price Travel’ program that refunds 50% of tourism expenses as local currency for tourists visiting its islands. This initiative was planned to encourage longer stays and increased spending by visitors, coinciding with the ‘2026 South Jeolla-Gwangju Year of the Island Visit’ and the ‘2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.’

The program covers Dallido and Oedaldo in Mokpo; Hahwado, Sado, Geomundo, Gaedo, and Geumodo in Yeosu; Ssukseom and Yeonhongdo in Goheung; Jangdo in Boseong; Gaudo in Gangjin; Songido in Yeonggwang; Gwanmaedo in Jindo; and Heuksando, Banwol-Bakjido, and Jeungdo in Shinan, among others.

The photo is not related to specific content of the article.

When tourists spend money on accommodation, food, or experiences while visiting the islands, they can receive 50% of the amount spent—up to a maximum of 100,000 won per person—in local mobile currency. This program will operate through November 4, 2026.

Applications must be submitted via the 'JG TOUR' app, the Gwangju-South Jeolla Tourism platform, at least five days before the trip begins. Travelers must register an ID showing their place of residence and obtain approval before joining the trip. During the trip, payments for restaurants, cafes, and experience facilities must be made through the local currency app associated with the county or city where the island is located.

If at least 30,000 won is spent on the target island, spending at affiliated merchants in the respective city or county is also counted as eligible. Reimbursement applications must be made through the app within 10 days after the trip ends. The refunded local mobile currency can be used at affiliated stores or local online markets when you revisit the region.

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