Gov't to run Travel Week programs to boost low-season tourism
Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan's Saha district has become a tourist hot spot, drawing an increasing number of visitors. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
By Jun Ji-hye
The government will run Travel Week programs in June and November this year in a bid to boost domestic travel during the off-peak season.
The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recently announced that the first period of 2020 Travel Week will kick off on May 30 until June 14, while the second period is slated for Oct. 31 to Nov. 15.
The government's Travel Week programs featuring a variety of tourism programs and benefits for tourists began in 2014 with the aim of increasing demand for domestic travel.
Previously, the programs were operated in May and October to decentralize travel demand concentrated on the summer peak season.
This year, the government set a new goal of promoting domestic travel during the off-peak season, changing the periods to June and November, based on its research that showed June and November were ranked tenth and 12th in terms of time of travel.
The ministry said it will continue to carry out its campaign aimed at creating a social atmosphere in which people can use their annual paid leave freely to go on a trip.
The ministry will also cooperate with transportation-related organizations to offer special passes with which tourists can reduce travel costs during both periods.
Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) and Korea Express Bus Lines Association (KOBUS) as well as car-sharing service providers will issue their respective special passes.
The ministry will release details of special passes afterward.
Jangho Port in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, is one of the nation's rare spots suitable for snorkeling with its crystal-clear and calm water. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
Local governments are also active in joining the Travel Week programs, planning to carry out various tourism programs to attract more visitors.
During the first period, Daegu, Incheon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, South Chungcheong Province, North Jeolla Province, North Gyeongsang Province and Jeju Island will showcase special content and events representing their regions.
During the second period, Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daejeon, Gangwon Province, North Chungcheong Province, South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province will join in.
The ministry said it is also receiving applications from private companies and other organizations to participate in the travel week programs.
Those selected as partners for the programs are required to offer distinguished benefits to tourists during the travel week periods, such as discounts, and in return, they will be allowed to conduct publicity campaigns jointly with the government.
In an effort to better promote this year' travel week programs, the government will hold a contest through February and March calling on people to submit their storyboards for ad campaigns.
The government will choose the winners and utilize the ideas in creating ads for the Travel Week programs afterward.
Details for the contest will be made public on Feb. 14.
“We will release more information on the Travel Week programs and benefits a month before their launch,” a ministry official said.