"Come visit South Jeolla-Gwangju this fall — a land of flavor and culture," the city says.
The South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City is rolling out accommodation discounts to draw overnight tourists during the fall travel peak season.
The city is partnering with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization to run the "2026 Korea Accommodation Sale Festa — Autumn Edition."
The nationwide accommodation discount program aims to boost tourism demand outside the Greater Seoul area and inject vitality into the local lodging and tourism industries.
Discount vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. daily through major online travel agencies until Oct. 8.
Vouchers can be used any time within the event period from the date of issue.
For bookings at hotels, condominiums and pensions in the South Jeolla-Gwangju area, guests receive a 20,000 won ($15) discount on payments under 70,000 won and a 30,000 won discount on payments of 70,000 won or more.
For stays of two or more consecutive nights totaling more than 140,000 won, the discount can reach up to 70,000 won.
Island areas offer even greater benefits.
Guests staying in any of 13 cities and counties — Gangjin, Goheung, Gwangyang, Mokpo, Muan, Boseong, Sinan, Yeosu, Yeonggwang, Wando, Jangheung, Jindo and Haenam — can receive a 30,000 won discount on payments under 70,000 won, or a 50,000 won discount on payments of 70,000 won or more.
Voucher issuance is limited to one per person and is available through participating online travel agencies including My Real Trip, Webtour, Kakao Talk Booking, NOL, 11st and Gmarket. A full list of participating agencies and instructions on how to obtain and use vouchers can be found on the official Korea Accommodation Sale Festa website.
"We prepared this event to ease the burden of accommodation costs during the fall travel season and encourage more spending on local tourism," said Oh Mi-kyung, the city's tourism division chief. "We hope visitors will enjoy a fulfilling autumn trip by combining regional festivals such as the Yeosu World Island Expo and the Gwangju Biennale with the culinary delights of the Namdo region."
sij@heraldcorp.com
