Rent-a-Car Fees Cut by 80% Boost Tourism Demand in Gyeongbuk Province...

Early Termination After 3 Months, 67% Increase Compared to Last Year

Mission Games at Major Tourist Spots and Car Camping Also Available Next Year

Since August, Gyeongsangbuk-do has achieved an increase in tourism demand through a vehicle rental fee support project jointly promoted with the domestic car-sharing service company SOCAR.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol, Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Trainee Reporter Lee Seryeong] Rent-a-car fees were cut by 80%, and signs of a tourism boom in Gyeongbuk are emerging.

Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 28th that the number of tourists, including the MZ generation, has surged due to the vehicle rental fee support project jointly promoted with the domestic car-sharing service company SOCAR since August.

The province implemented a project to improve transportation convenience and reduce cost burdens for travelers visiting the region by discounting rent-a-car fees by 80%.

When renting a vehicle for at least one night in the Gyeongbuk area, Gyeongbuk supports 40%, SOCAR supports 40%, and customers pay only 20% of the fee.

Gyeongbuk holds more than 20% of the nation's cultural assets and is rich in tourism resources such as mountains, rivers, and seas, but due to its distance from the metropolitan area and inconvenient transportation to major tourist spots, the northern and western regions, except for some cities and counties like Gyeongbuk and Andong, have relatively fewer visitors.

Earlier this year, the Cheongnyangni-Andong section of the KTX-Eum line opened, shortening the distance to the metropolitan area to within two hours, and with the resurgence of COVID-19, demand for non-face-to-face, safe, and healing tourism was expected to increase.

In response, the province quickly implemented a shared vehicle support project in cooperation with SOCAR to revitalize tourism in the northern area centered on Yeongju and Andong and the central-western area around Gimcheon and Gumi.

As a result of the project, the number of shared vehicles increased from 372 in October to 529, and waiting locations expanded from 56 to 80, indicating a rapid increase in tourists visiting Gyeongbuk.

The project expanded its target areas to include Singyeongju Station and Sin Pohang Station, which has rapidly risen as a popular tourist destination due to drama shootings such as "The Sound of Magic" and "When the Camellia Blooms."

Although the support project ended early after three months due to the increase in tourists, the number of rent-a-car users increased by 67% compared to the same period last year.

In addition to rent-a-car discounts, customers using KTX Gimcheon-Gumi Station, Gyeongju Station, and Pohang Station received a 50% discount, and those using KTX-Eum Punggi Station, Yeongju Station, and Andong Station could use the railway for 10,000 won.

Various programs that stimulate tourists' interest and excitement, such as the Gyeongbuk Tourism 100 Challenge Tour and Gyeongbuk e-Nuri, were also promoted.

In the new year, to respond to the increase in shared vehicle users and diverse tourism demands, the province plans to discuss linkage plans with local rent-a-car companies in cooperation with SOCAR, secure vehicles suitable for car camping, and develop tourism products such as mission games at major tourist sites.

Kim Sangcheol, Director of the Culture, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, said, "With the completion of the third COVID-19 vaccine dose and the securing of oral therapeutics next year, the tourism industry will recover," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare to welcome tourists by carefully inspecting every corner so that they can stay and rest safely and comfortably in Gyeongbuk."

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