Busan Offers Help When Removing 'Room Tables' in Restaurants... 'Hall Table' Support Project

Busan City Provides Up to 3 Million Won Support to Businesses Switching to Standing Tables to Improve Tourism and Dining Environment

Busan City Hall building. Busan City is undertaking a project to convert restaurant tables to standing-height tables to create a global dining environment.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A support project to convert restaurant 'bang (floor seating) tables' into standing tables is being launched in Busan. Busan City is taking steps to improve customer reception conditions to become an international tourist city.

On the 16th, Busan City announced that it will actively promote the 'Restaurant Standing Seat Improvement Support Project' as part of its restaurant support initiatives to enhance convenience for tourists using restaurants.

This project aims to improve tables and seats inside restaurants from floor seating to standing seating to alleviate inconveniences for tourists. It will also reduce discomfort for mainly elderly consumers who find floor seating uncomfortable due to bending their legs.

The goal is to provide convenience to the 2 million foreign tourists annually and strengthen Busan City's global competitiveness. The city plans to improve overall tourism readiness and actively respond to the revitalization of travel and tourism in the Busan area in the post-COVID era.

The total project cost is 1 billion KRW (500 million KRW from national funds and 500 million KRW from city funds), and approximately 300 restaurants with floor seating in the Busan area will be selected to receive up to 3 million KRW per establishment.

Applications can be submitted to the Environmental Hygiene Division of the district or county where the restaurant is located. Applications may close once the budget is exhausted, and support recipients will be selected through written evaluation and on-site inspection in order of application. Restaurants with hygiene grade designation and those applying will receive preferential points, and selected establishments must pay at least 10% of the self-payment in advance.

Byun Sung-wan, Acting Mayor of Busan, said, “If restaurant seating is improved to standing style, not only foreign visitors to Busan but also citizens will be able to dine comfortably. We also expect an increase in sales for local furniture companies as products such as tables and chairs from Busan-based furniture manufacturers will be prioritized for purchase.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.