Yangju offers up to 40,000 won in tourism spending rewards

Yangju city is launching a tourism spending reward pilot program from Thursday through Nov. 30 to boost tourism in its western districts and stimulate spending at local businesses.

The program coincides with the 40th anniversary of Jangheung's designation as a tourist zone, and aims to raise the profile of tourism resources across the western region, including Jangheung, while encouraging consumer spending at local establishments.

Tourists aged 19 or older who are registered as residents outside Yangju are eligible to apply. Visitors who spend money for tourism purposes in the western districts — Baekseok-eup, Eunhyeon-myeon, Nam-myeon, Gwangjeok-myeon and Jangheung-myeon — can receive up to 40,000 won ($29) per person per visit.

Tourists can combine spending at tourism, cultural and experiential facilities, as well as restaurants, cafes and accommodations within the western districts when applying for the reward.

Those who spend at least 40,000 won will receive a 20,000 won Yangju Love Card, while those who spend 80,000 won or more will receive 40,000 won.

Tourists who spend between 50,000 won and less than 80,000 won, or 90,000 won or more, will also receive tourism souvenirs on a tiered basis depending on their spending level.

The Yangju Love Card can be used at affiliated merchants throughout the city, which officials expect will encourage additional spending and repeat visits by tourists.

Interested tourists should check the program announcement on the city's website and submit the required documents by email to the program coordinator at least five days before their planned visit.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Selected tourists will be notified by text message with instructions on how to participate. On their designated visit day, they should travel through the western districts, make tourism-related purchases, and then bring their original receipts and identification to a designated tourist information center to claim their reward.

After reviewing eligibility, the city will send the Yangju Love Card by registered mail within 10 days of the application date.

The pilot program may end early if the budget is exhausted. Further details are available on the city's official website under notices and announcements, and inquiries can be directed to the Tourism Promotion Team of Yangju's Culture and Tourism Division.

Hong Mi-yeong, head of the Culture and Tourism Division, said she hopes the program will give tourists a chance to rediscover the appeal of Jangheung and explore the wider western region on the occasion of its 40th anniversary as a designated tourist zone. "We will continue to work to attract tourists and invigorate the local economy through a variety of projects that connect regional tourism resources with local businesses," she said.