Yeosu island trips now available at half price

Travelers can recoup 50% of expenses on trips to 10 islands — including Geomundo, Geumodo, Sonjukdo, Yeojado and Yeondo

The city of Yeosu is launching a half-price island travel program to encourage tourists to spend more time exploring its scenic islands ahead of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.

Under the program, tourists from outside the region who visit any of 10 designated islands can recoup 50% of what they spend on accommodation, food and beverages, and ferry fares — up to a maximum of 100,000 won ($70) per person — in the form of mobile Yeosu Love gift vouchers.

The 10 eligible islands are among the most popular of Yeosu's 365 islands: Geumodo, Geomundo, Hwahwado, Sado, Gaedo, Sonjukdo, Chodo, Ando, Yeondo and Yeojado.

Applications open Monday, with the travel period running from Aug. 29 through Nov. 4 — roughly two months.

Prospective participants must complete pre-registration at least five days before their planned travel date through the JG Tour app, the integrated tourism platform for South Jeolla Province and Gwangju.

After registering, travelers purchase mobile Yeosu Love gift vouchers through the local gift-card app "chak" and use them to pay at merchants affiliated with the Seomseom Yeosu Pay network.

Within 10 days of completing their trip, travelers can submit receipts through the JG Tour app to claim the 50% rebate, which is issued as mobile Yeosu Love gift vouchers.

Regular card payment receipts are also accepted on the islands. A minimum spend of 30,000 won is required, and remaining expenditures can be made anywhere in Yeosu.

"This program will be a great opportunity to ease the financial burden on visitors ahead of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo and to showcase the beauty of Yeosu's islands to a wider audience," a city official said.