The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are running the "2026 Travel Season Fall" campaign through November to boost tourism to islands and areas losing population. For the first time, the campaign includes lodging vouchers usable only on islands, and support for shrinking-population areas now extends to visitors arriving by car rather than only by train. The "Five People, Five Colors" themed travel program, launched in the spring, has added family trips to widen eligibility. The aim is to lower travel costs so that more people visit local regions and spend money there.
Of roughly 80,000 lodging vouchers, 10,000 have been set aside exclusively for islands. They can be used at accommodations in 32 cities, counties and districts with islands, including Geoje, Tongyeong, Yeosu, Shinan and Jeju. Stays costing 70,000 won or more get a 50,000-won discount, while those between 30,000 won and 70,000 won get 30,000 won off. The discounts are 20,000 won and 10,000 won larger, respectively, than for general lodging products outside the greater Seoul area.
Island and coastal areas will also see expanded transportation support. Travelers who rent hybrid, electric or LPG vehicles in coastal areas outside the greater Seoul area can receive up to 20,000 won off depending on the rental period. In Jeju, the discount is up to 10,000 won. The measure is designed to help travelers reach places where lodging and attractions are far apart or hard to get to by public transit alone.
For areas losing population, support now covers travelers arriving in their own cars. Across 89 such areas nationwide, visitors can receive navigation app points worth up to 30,000 won depending on how many areas they visit. Rail support that began in the spring continues as well. Travelers who reach designated areas by train and visit attractions can receive rail vouchers worth the fare they paid. Mobility benefits, previously concentrated on train passengers, now extend to those driving their own cars.
More regions are joining the "Love Your Region Vacation Support" program, which encourages travelers to spend the money they earn back within the region. In the second half, nine new locations are joining, including Taean and Seocheon in South Chungcheong Province, Andong and Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province, and Hwacheon in Gangwon State. Travelers who apply before their trip and spend on lodging, meals and activities get back 50% of recognized travel spending in gift certificates usable in that region. Individuals can receive up to 100,000 won, while young adults aged 19 to 34 can receive up to 140,000 won.
Family trips under the program can have travel spending recognized for up to five people. For example, a family of four that spends 600,000 won on lodging, meals and activities during a two-day trip to Taean in South Chungcheong Province can get half of that, 300,000 won, back in mobile Taean Love gift certificates. Rather than stopping at lodging discounts, the program attaches benefits to travel and local spending to encourage consumption in the region.
Programs that match destinations to travelers' interests will also continue. The "Five People, Five Colors" program, first offered this spring, has been reorganized around five themes: food, hiking, activities, family trips and eco-friendly travel. Family trips, which were not part of the spring edition, have been newly added. For themes other than family trips, up to two people per team may apply, while family trips allow up to four.
Participants choose one of 25 travel products and apply, with selection by lottery. Among the main offerings, participants in Boeun, North Chungcheong Province, pick jujubes and make jujube syrup, while those in Gurye, South Jeolla Province, drink tea with monks at Guchungam Hermitage at Hwaeomsa Temple before walking to Nogodan Peak. In Yangyang, Gangwon State, participants surf in the ocean and then ride amphibious vehicles in the mountains, while in Cheorwon they kayak on the Hantan River and collect litter. In Samcheok, they try beachcombing upcycling, making artwork from items gathered on the shore.
Some sessions will be accompanied by feng shui expert Park Sung-jun, singer Wooyoung of 2PM, actor Kim Suk-hoon, chef Lee Moon-jung and the creator couple Jiji Bubu. The first trips begin on Oct. 17 in Boeun, North Chungcheong Province; Gurye, South Jeolla Province; and Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, running through Nov. 15.
Participation costs 40,000 won per person, with all other travel expenses fully covered. Participants also receive 10,000 won in Onnuri gift certificates on the day of travel. A total of 700 people will be selected.
This spring, 7,312 people applied for 1,000 spots, a ratio of 7.3 to 1. Those in their 20s made up 25.2% of applicants and those in their 30s 31.7%, together accounting for 56.9% of the total. An official at the Korea Tourism Organization said the themed trips were designed "to shift the interest of people in their 20s and 30s, who prefer overseas travel to destinations such as Japan and China, toward domestic travel," adding that "younger travelers stood out in the spring program as well."
