Direct Regional Travel from Local Airports and Ports... Reducing Payment and Transportation Inconveniences for Foreign Tourists

Korea Tourism Organization Launches 'Unlock Your Korea: Go Local' Campaign Until December 13
Focusing on Gateway Areas: Cheongju, Daegu, Gimhae Airports and Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Gunsan Ports
Up to 12,000 Won Cashback for Regional Business Payments
'K-Tour Pass' Introduced in Busan
Travel Packages Linking Regional Content Including Tteokbokki and Gimbap Festivals

A project aimed at reducing inconveniences experienced by foreign tourists related to payment, transportation, and tourism information while traveling in regional areas after entering Korea through local airports and ports is being carried out. Foreign visitors will receive up to 12,000 won in cashback when they make payments at regional businesses, and a foreigner-exclusive pass bundling benefits for transportation and tourist attractions will also be offered.

Promotional image for the 'Unlock Your Korea: Go Local' campaign targeting foreign tourists, launched by the Korea Tourism Organization from the 7th. This project aims to enhance the convenience of payment, transportation, accommodation, and tourism information for foreigners visiting regions via regional airports and ports. Korea Tourism Organization

The Korea Tourism Organization announced that from October 7, 2026 until December 13, 2026, it will run the 'Unlock Your Korea: Go Local' campaign to improve tourism services for foreign visitors. The campaign targets gateway cities with Cheongju, Daegu, and Gimhae airports, as well as Incheon, Pyeongtaek, and Gunsan ports, and their adjacent areas.

This campaign focuses on integrating essential services needed by foreigners as they move, stay, dine, or shop after arriving in these regions. The intent is to broaden tourism routes, which have mainly centered on the Seoul metropolitan area, to the regions using local airports and ports as new starting points.

First, mobile payment and tax refund infrastructure at local businesses such as traditional markets will be expanded. The Korea Tourism Organization will also conduct joint promotions with "WOWPASS," a foreigner-exclusive payment and commerce platform. When foreign tourists spend at least 10,000 won on food or shopping at participating regional businesses, they will receive an immediate 2,000 won refund per transaction. This benefit can be used up to six times per person, for a maximum refund of 12,000 won.

The 'K-Tour Pass,' which combines transportation and tourist destinations, will also be introduced. Tourists can use this pass in Busan, a popular destination among foreigners, and those who purchase it will receive discounts on the airport railroad express train fare and complimentary admission to one of 35 paid attractions in Busan.

To make it easier for tourists to find accommodation and tourism content in regional areas, the campaign will expand the provision of information. It will provide more details on quality accommodations, such as Hanok stays near regional airports and ports, and strengthen multi-language interpretation and guidance services through the 1330 Tourism Information Helpline.

There will also be initiatives to connect local festivals with tourism products. For instance, travel products linking regional food festivals like the Daegu Tteokbokki Festival and the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival will be developed and sold and promoted via overseas branches of the Korea Tourism Organization and global online travel agencies (OTAs).

Min Byung-sun, Head of the Tourism Industry Division at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, "We will create an environment where foreign tourists can easily access travel information and conveniently enjoy attractive regional content from the very moment they arrive in the area through local airports and ports. We will continue our efforts, working together with local governments, related organizations, and private companies, to make local airports and ports the new starting points for regional tourism."

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