Hadong County to Launch "Local Love Vacation Support" in April, Kicking Off Full-Scale Tourist Attraction Efforts

The "Hadong Half-Price Travel" program, which was first introduced in February, received an enthusiastic response, with advance reservations closing in just over a month due to high demand.

Based on this interest, Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province, announced that it will expand and restructure the initiative as the "Local Love Vacation Support Half-Price Travel" program, offering more benefits to tourists. The revamped program will run from April 1 to August 31, 2026.

For this new "Local Love Vacation Support Project," some eligibility criteria and operational procedures have changed compared to the previous half-price travel program, so applicants are required to check the details in advance.

The eligibility has been expanded to include tourists from all over the country, except for residents of the eight neighboring cities and counties (Jinju, Sacheon, Namhae, Sancheong, Hamyang, Namwon, Gwangyang, and Gurye). Application types have also been broadened from individuals and teams to include family units (up to five people, defined as direct relatives or spouses living at the same address).

원본보기 아이콘

In particular, an incentive is being introduced for young adults aged 19 to 34, offering an additional refund of up to 20% to encourage visits from the younger generation. The minimum eligible spending for travel expense refunds is set at 100,000 won.

Advance applications can be made starting April 1 via the official "Hadong Half-Price Travel" website. Details on eligibility, application procedures, and precautions can also be found on the platform.

User convenience has also been improved. The payment method for accommodation, which was the subject of the most inquiries in the previous program, has been updated to better reflect real-world practices. Recognizing that accommodation is typically reserved and paid for by card, both credit card receipts and cash receipts will now be accepted as proof of travel expenses. This change addresses cases where travelers could not meet refund criteria because they were unable to use mobile vouchers.

However, when settling accommodation expenses, applicants must submit an accommodation receipt, a reservation or usage statement, and an accommodation confirmation form that includes the accommodation provider's signature or seal. The confirmation form can be downloaded in advance from the "Hadong Half-Price Travel" website and should be completed and verified at the lodging facility.

The application process has also been changed. Previously, applications were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, but starting in April, applications can be submitted every month to enhance convenience. This aims to minimize travel cancellations and ensure more stable tourism demand.

The refunded support funds can be used at ZeroPay-affiliated merchants and the "Byeolcheonji Hadong" online shopping mall until the end of the year. They can also be used at the "Byeolcheonji Hadong Tea Culture Center," which opened in Suyeong District, Busan, in February. However, as some new merchants and certain businesses may be excluded from the program, users should check the official website or the ZeroPay app before making purchases.

Meanwhile, Hadong County has achieved concrete results through the half-price travel program. During the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, the number of daily visitors to major tourist attractions increased by approximately 67.3% compared to the previous year. Even in February, typically an off-season for tourism, the total number of visitors rose by 54.2% year-on-year, contributing positively to the revitalization of the local economy.

An official from the county said, "We have carefully improved the system to address inconveniences identified during program operation so that more tourists can receive tangible benefits." The official added, "As Hadong is gaining nationwide attention as a tourist destination through the half-price travel program, we will build on this momentum to transform it into an attractive, year-round destination that people want to visit in every season."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.