Visitors to regions with declining populations from next month can get up to half off train fares. Shown is the high-speed electric-powered train KTX-Eum traveling on the coastal railroad of the East Sea. (Korail’s official Facebook page)
By Charles Audouin
Visitors to regions with declining populations like Jeongseon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, and Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do Province can receive discounts of 50% on train fares from next month.
This is part of a joint plan of the central and local governments to help regions at risk of extinction and reviving local economies by connecting rail and tourism projects.
To stimulate rail travel and tourism in such areas, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on July 16 said it signed a business deal with related ministries including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Railroad Corp., Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Rural Community Corp. and 23 local governments
Most of the local governments in the program have declining populations like Samcheok, Gangwon-do; Danyang-gun County, Chungcheongbuk-do; Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province; and Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.
The so-called Regional Love Rail Travel program, which starts on Aug. 1, offers 40% off rail fare after a passenger buys a roundtrip ticket at a 10% discount and verifies visiting the area using a designated train afterward.
Another promotion, “Making My Own Train Travel,” allows passengers to plan their own trips by selecting train fare, accommodations, car rentals and admission to attractions at discounted prices.
And the rural village tour pass of the Agriculture Ministry allows visits to tourist attractions in rural and farming areas using mass transit with up to 30% off public transportation fares.
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran said at the signing ceremony, “Using this agreement as an opportunity, we will actively discover colorful and fun programs to create ways for regions to come alive through tourism.”
caudouin@korea.kr
