The newly participating local governments are Boeun County in North Chungcheong Province, Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province, Goheung, Damyang, and Wando Counties in South Jeolla Province, Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province, and Sancheong and Hamyang Counties in South Gyeongsang Province. They were selected through a public competition last April and will begin offering the service starting on the 8th following preparatory work. As a result, the number of locations where benefits such as discounts can be received has increased from approximately 1,100 across 44 regions to approximately 1,400 across 52 regions. Benefits are also available at approximately 300 locations across the eight newly added regions. Notable new additions include a 30% discount at the Wando Marine Healing Center in South Jeolla Province, a 35% discount on the Damyang Aviation Experience in Damyang, South Jeolla Province, and a 25% discount on the Wangpicheon Cable Car in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province.
Taking the expansion of service areas as an opportunity, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are launching a series of events to encourage the public to explore every corner of regions experiencing population decline. First, from the 22nd to the 30th of this month, a promotional booth for the “Digital Tourism Resident Card” will be operated at the Starfield Suwon pop-up store, where a sign-up certification event will be held. Participants will receive accommodation discount vouchers valid in the newly added regions. They will also host an invitation event for Digital Tourism Residents in conjunction with Andong’s representative festival, the “Hahoe Seonyu Fireworks Festival.” Participants will be offered programs centered around the “Digital Tourism Resident Card,” including a “wish-writing on egg-shaped candles” experience and Andong regional gift certificates.
Kang Dong-jin, Director General of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, “The recent amendment to the ‘Tourism Promotion Act’ includes new provisions to support the continuous and stable operation of the ‘Digital Tourism Resident Card.’” He added, “We will gather opinions from various sectors through November and push for amendments to the enforcement decree to refine overall operations, including issuance requirements and benefit criteria.”
