2026 Half-Price Travel Government Subsidy Program: Ministry of Culture and Korea Tourism Organization Lead Sequential Rollout Across 16 Population-Declining Municipalities
The "Half-Price Travel in Korea (Regional Love Vacation Support Program)," a joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, has officially launched as a 2026 pilot program. The program is sequentially rolling out across 16 local governments nationwide, with the goal of attracting visitors to rural and fishing communities facing population decline and revitalizing local economies through extended-stay tourism.
Program Overview and Subsidy Structure
According to the Korea Tourism Organization's official portal, the program is "a joint initiative by the Korea Tourism Organization and local governments to address population decline in rural areas, stimulate domestic travel and tourism consumption by attracting visitors to population-declining regions, and expand the tourism-engaged population through extended-stay tourism."
The subsidy works as a post-travel cashback system: participants submit proof-of-expenditure documents after their trip and receive 50% of their spending back in the form of mobile regional love gift certificates (local currency). The cashback may only be used at affiliated merchants or local shopping platforms within the designated region β not as cash β and pre-registration before travel is a mandatory condition for eligibility.
Reimbursement Limits and Youth Special Benefits
Cashback limits vary by application type as follows.
- Individual (1 person): Minimum spend of KRW 200,000 required; maximum cashback of KRW 100,000
- Group (2 or more persons): Minimum spend of KRW 400,000 required; maximum cashback of KRW 200,000
- Youth (ages 19β34 per the Framework Act on Youth): 70% cashback rate; maximum of KRW 140,000 per individual
- Family group (up to 5 persons): Maximum cashback of KRW 500,000
The youth special benefit applies an enhanced cashback rate of 70% β 20 percentage points above the standard 50% rate β to individuals aged 19 to 34 as of the program announcement date. This is interpreted as a policy measure designed to encourage young people to visit regional areas outside major cities.
Participating Regions and Schedule
Sixteen population-declining local governments across the country are launching the program on a rolling basis. Regional application schedules and operational status are as follows.
Currently Accepting Applications
- Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon: Apr. 10 β Aug. 31, 2026 | Local currency via Kona-i app | Accommodation and traditional market visit required | Inquiries: 1577-0545
- Yeonggwang-gun, Jeonnam: Apr. 10 β Aug. 31, 2026 | Local currency via Geurigo app (Kona-i) | Inquiries: 061-350-6796/6797
- Miryang-si, Gyeongnam: Apr. 1 β Aug. 31, 2026 | Local currency via Zero-pay app (Zero-J) | Inquiries: 055-359-5785/5871
- Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam: Apr. 1 β Aug. 31, 2026 | Local currency via Zero-pay app | Inquiries: 070-5217-2408
- Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam: Apr. 13 β Aug. 30, 2026 | Local currency via Zero-pay app | Inquiries: 1660-3042
Upcoming Regions
- Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon: Planned May 1 β Aug. 30, 2026 | Local currency via chak app | Inquiries: 033-333-0252
- Gangjin-gun, Jeonnam: Jun. 1 β Aug. 31, 2026 | Local currency via chak app | Inquiries: 061-433-3349
- Hoengseong-gun (Gangwon), Gochang-gun (Jeonbuk), Haenam-gun and Wando-gun (Jeonnam): In preparation
Jecheon-si (Chungbuk), Goheung-gun, Yeongam-gun (Jeonnam), and Hapcheon-gun and Namhae-gun (Gyeongnam) have already closed applications for the current month. Given that the program operates on a fixed budget and may close early once funds are exhausted, prospective participants are strongly advised to verify application deadlines in advance.
Background and Launch of the Pilot Program
The official launch of the program can be traced to a press release issued by Yeongwol-gun on February 27, 2026, announcing its selection for the Korea Tourism Organization's "Regional Love Vacation Support" pilot program. Subsequently, on March 19, Miryang-si issued Official Notice No. 2026-715, formally announcing the "Ban-hada Miryang Half-Price Travel" program. The Miryang City Office stated in the notice that "the program is being implemented to promote extended-stay tourism consumption and revitalize the local economy."
Application Requirements and Key Considerations
Prospective participants must be aware of the following essential conditions before applying.
- Pre-registration is mandatory: Applications must be completed before departure. Deadlines vary by region, ranging from 1 to 5 days prior to travel.
- Residents of adjacent municipalities are ineligible: Applicants whose registered address falls within a municipality adjacent to the target region are excluded. For example, residents of Gimhae-si, Changwon-si, Yangsan-si, Changnyeong-gun, Cheongdo-gun, and Ulsan Metropolitan City are ineligible for the Miryang-si program.
- Submission of supporting documents is required: Receipts and proof of expenditure for accommodation, meals, and activities must be submitted within the designated period after travel in order to receive the cashback.
- Payment method restrictions apply: Accepted payment methods differ by region. Miryang-si exceptionally permits credit card or cash receipts for accommodation establishments only.
- Cashback is issued as local currency only: Cash reimbursement is not available; all cashback is disbursed exclusively as mobile regional love gift certificates.
Early Closure Policy Upon Budget Exhaustion
Pyeongchang-gun's official notice states that "the program operates on a limited budget and may close early if the volume of reimbursement applications is high." In practice, regions that began accepting applications from early April β including Miryang, Hadong, Yeongwol, and Yeonggwang β have already closed their April allocation. The May allocation for Miryang and Hadong is scheduled to open on April 27, 2026, while Yeonggwang's May allocation is set to open on April 28.
Real-time application status and registration instructions for each region are available through the Korea Tourism Organization's official portal (korean.visitkorea.or.kr). Direct inquiries to the relevant department of each local government are also recommended.
This article was written by AI based on official sources.
Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization β Official Half-Price Travel in Korea Portal (korean.visitkorea.or.kr/dgtourcard/tour50.do)
- Pyeongchang-gun Open Square β Half-Price Travel Government Subsidy Program Guide (2026-03-29) (pc.go.kr)
- Miryang City Office β 2026 Regional Love Vacation Support Program Official Notice No. 2026-715 (2026-03-19) (miryang.go.kr)
- Jecheon City Culture & Tourism β Jecheon Love Vacation Support Program (Half-Price Travel) (tour.jecheon.go.kr)
- Yeongwol-gun Press Release β Selected for Korea Tourism Organization Regional Love Vacation Support Pilot Program (2026-02-27) (yw.go.kr)