Gov't plans week to boost tourism

The Korean government is promoting Tourism Week, which runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5, in order to encourage a boost in the local tourism industry. Mount Mudeung in Gwangju, above, is one of the many destinations it recommends, along with the German Village, top right, in Namhae, South Gyeongsang, and the Park Soo Keun Museum in Yanggu, Gangwon, bottom right.Provided by the Korea Tourism Organization

With its breezy fall weather, changing leaves and two national holidays, October is the perfect time to take a trip in Korea.

The major discounts given by train and bus operators, hotels, resorts, restaurants and shops during this period will give travelers even more reason to go on a quick domestic getaway.

The Korean government is embarking on its second Tourism Week, a promotion that encourages people to take vacations in the hopes of reviving the regional economy and help relieve the public's stress.

The nationwide campaign starts Sept. 25 and lasts until Oct. 5, a period that includes Oct. 3, or National Foundation Day, followed by Hangul Day on Oct. 9.

Considering that 73.2 percent of people said they preferred travelling by car, based on a Korea National Tourism Survey from 2013, the Tourism Ministry has worked to lower gas and rental prices for vehicles during the promotional period.

About 70 gas stations near major travel destinations such as Buyeo, in South Chungcheong, where the Baekje Cultural Festival takes place, will offer a 2,000 won ($1.9) discount per transaction.

SK Networks, which provides a car rental service, will slash its prices by up to 75 percent.

Kumho Buslines plans to provide a 30 percent discount on three- or five-day bus passes while Korail will cut its train fees by 20 percent for people traveling on weekdays.

For lodging, Korea Tourism Organization's Benikea hotel chain, as well as some 500 hotels across the country, will drop prices by 10 percent to 60 percent.

In total, around 3,700 tourism-related businesses will offer discounts on their normal prices.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism attempted to launch a similar event this spring, but the sinking of the Sewol ferry in April came just days after the ministry announced its campaign.

Although the government still offered discounts to travelers, it didn't push the benefits of the special event in keeping with the national mourning period that began after the tragedy.

Public expenditure on travel still went up during Tourism Week in May despite the lack of publicity, meaning that the government became even more set on promoting national travel this fall.

In spring, the country's domestic tourism industry saw 402 billion won being spent during about 10 days, according to the Korea National Tourism Survey.

But critics still doubt the promotion's success, especially among employees at conglomerates.

The survey said 49.9 percent of Korean citizens have not taken vacations in the past because their workloads are too heavy to take leisure days or because they feel uncomfortable asking for time off.

According to the KTO, Koreans work 2,090 hours on average a year compared to the average 1,756 hours marked by the other member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The Federation of Korean Industries requested that its affiliated companies encourage their employees to take days off during the campaign, but there will be no incentives for companies who follow its recommendation, which will make it harder for many workers to ask for time off.

Even Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok does not plan on taking a vacation during the promotion, saying it has not been long enough since he started office in August.

By Lee sun-min[[email protected]]

"2014 Fall Tourism Week" starts Sept. 25 and lasts until Oct. 5.

For more detailed information about discounts and other events, go tofall.visitkorea.or.kr.