"Step-by-step Return to Normal Life"... Dining Out and Rural Tourism Discount Support Programs Resume Starting Tomorrow

On the 26th, ahead of the transition to the "Step-by-step Daily Recovery (With Corona)" quarantine system, the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, are bustling with citizens trying to have lunch. The government is considering lifting operating hour restrictions first for business facilities such as restaurants and cafes under the quarantine system to be implemented next month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] In line with the phased transition to daily life recovery, the dining discount support program, which had been conducted non-face-to-face, and the rural tourism discount support program, which was suspended since November last year, will resume starting tomorrow.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 31st, the dining discount support and rural tourism discount support programs will resume from the 1st. A remaining budget of 18 billion KRW (15.5 billion KRW for credit cards, 2.5 billion KRW for local currency) has been allocated to the dining discount program, which will be reimbursed on a first-come, first-served basis and will end once the budget is exhausted.

◆ A total of 22 delivery apps including Baemin, Yogiyo, and Coupang Eats participate = The dining discount support is conducted by confirming performance when visiting dining establishments (local currency applies only to affiliated dining establishments) or ordering and paying through delivery apps, and then reimbursing accordingly. Entertainment bars (general and dance), in-house restaurants, and catering services are excluded from dining establishments, and stores in department stores, large discount stores, and shopping malls are excluded due to difficulty in verifying sales related to dining.

The participating delivery apps were confirmed through a public recruitment by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), totaling 22 companies (13 public, 3 public-private mixed, 6 private). Public companies include Baedal Teukgeup, Ddingdong, Baedal-ui Myeongsu, Ildansikyeo, Eodigo, Baedal Ol Geoje, Baedal Moa, Bulleobomnae, Baesyulleong, Baesyulleong Sejong, Daeguro, Ssingsing Yeosu, and Bangguseok Misikga. Public-private mixed companies are Wemakeprice O, Meokkebi, and Somunnan Shop, and private companies include Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo, Coupang Eats, PAYCO, Delius, and KakaoTalk Order.

Local currencies will also be used by a total of 76 local governments, including all 25 districts of Seoul Metropolitan City and Incheon Metropolitan City. Existing credit card program participants (7.93 million people) and accumulated performance will continue to apply to this program, but local currency users must newly apply to participate.

For new participation via credit card or local currency, users must first apply on the participating card company or local currency website/app, then visit dining establishments or order through participating delivery apps, and make a total of four payments of 20,000 KRW or more (final payment amount excluding discount coupons, points, etc.) using the applied card or local currency. Next month, card companies will reimburse or provide billing discounts of 10,000 KRW (local currency will reimburse). Performance is recognized up to twice per day per card company or local currency, and simple payments are recognized only if linked to the applied card. Specific payment performance verification can be done through the card company or local currency, and inquiries about delivery app usage and order confirmation should be directed to the respective delivery app.

◆ Rural tourism discount rate expanded up to 50% = The rural tourism discount support program plans to allocate a remaining budget of 1.1 billion KRW and will proceed on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted. To enhance support effects for the rural tourism industry, which has suffered greatly from decreased visitors, the discount rate will be expanded from the existing 30% to 50%. The program reimburses a certain amount (50%) of the payment amount confirmed from transactions made at rural tourism businesses using one of three affiliated credit card companies (NH Nonghyup, Shinhan, Hyundai).

First, affiliated cardholders who visit rural tourism businesses and pay for meals, accommodations, and experience programs at rural tourism sites with the affiliated card can receive up to 50,000 KRW cashback through the card company's payment account next month.

About 1,600 tourist sites, including rural experience and recreation villages and rural convergence industry certified businesses, participate in the discount event. Detailed information such as regional business information can be found on the rural travel portal 'Welchon.' Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to conduct various events and promotional activities to revitalize rural tourism.

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