Andong's half-price travel program sells out in 30 minutes for second round

Andong's "half-price travel" program, designed to draw overnight tourists and boost local spending in the North Gyeongsang Province city, closed its second round of applications as quickly as the first, drawing strong interest from across the country.

The second round opened at 10 a.m. Monday and filled up within 30 minutes, with 3,500 people signing up before registration closed, the city said Tuesday.

The first round, held Sept. 14, drew 6,715 applicants.

Combined with the second round, cumulative applications have reached 10,215.

The program reimburses out-of-town visitors for a portion of travel expenses incurred in Andong, paying the refund in the form of mobile Andong Love gift vouchers redeemable at local businesses.

Within the set support limits, general participants receive 50 percent of their eligible tourism spending back, while youth participants receive 70 percent.

Selected participants must visit Andong during their registered travel period, check in at at least one designated tourist site, and submit receipts and supporting documents to claim their reimbursement.

The city then reviews payment records and travel documentation before issuing the mobile vouchers.

"Based on the tourism demand confirmed through this program and feedback from participants, we will review ways to sustain and expand it, and work to ensure that tourists' visits to Andong translate into longer stays and more spending in the local economy," a city official said.