Korea Grand Sale to offer bargains for foreign visitors

By Lee Kyung-min

A comprehensive shopping, tourism and cultural events package for foreign tourists will be offered nationwide next month, the Visit Korea Committee said Thursday.

The Korea Grand Sale is part of the Korea Sale Festa, which also includes Hot Sale Week aimed at both locals and foreigners, and the K-Culture Fair.

During the period, tourists can enjoy discounts on shopping, food, transportation, lodging, cultural performances and tourist attractions.

Various events under different themes will be offered each week including “must-buy week” (Oct. 1 to 9), “must-see-week” (Oct. 10 to 16), “must-do week” (Oct. 17 to 23) and “must-eat week” (Oct. 24 to 31).

Local cosmetics brand Innisfree will offer a 20 percent discount on payments made with foreign credit cards. Asiana Airlines will offer buy-one-get-one-free tickets for 24 routes between Korea and China, and 10 routes between Korea and Japan. Those who buy at least two tickets are eligible for the special offer. The carrier will also offer up to 60 percent discounts to those flying to and from Southeast Asian and European countries.

Major shopping spots including I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, and some Shinsegae Department Stores will provide discounts up to 50 percent. Lotte Duty Free shops nationwide will offer various discount benefits in proportion to the amount purchased.

For lodging, the Grand Hilton Seoul will offer discounts of 50 percent to guests staying for at least two nights.

Tourism benefits include discounts up to 50 percent for the K-Travel Bus, a one-night-two-day bus tour package taking visitors to lesser-known tourist attractions around Korea.

Also offering for discounts are cultural events related to hallyu, or the Korean wave.

On Sept. 30, a K-pop concert will be held in Yeongdongdaero, the major boulevard in front of COEX in Gangnam, southern Seoul. Idol groups including SHINee, 2PM, and Infinite will perform.

Two more concerts will be held in front of Yongsan Station on Oct. 14 and at COEX Mall in Gangnam on Oct. 15.

Some department stores, hotels and airports will offer discounts of 50 percent for luggage delivery and storage services to help visitors shop and sightsee more freely without having to carry their belongings.

During the month-long event, interpretation services will be offered in English, Chinese and Japanese at the Korea Grand Sale event center near Doota Mall in Dongdaemum, eastern Seoul. General festival information and free internet and Wi-Fi service will be available there as well.

Similar services will be offered at the Tourist Service Center, housed in a remodeled truck which will travel across Seoul visiting Myeong-dong, Hongdae, Yongsan, Gangnam and other regions.

More information about the Korea Grand Sale is available on the promotional website, koreagrandsale.co.kr as well as on social media channels, Facebook, Weibo, Instagram and Line.