'Open Travel Week' Launches for People with Disabilities, Seniors, and Families with Young Children

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced on April 13 that, in commemoration of Day of Persons with Disabilities, they will launch the Open Travel Week campaign, "Spring for All, Open Travel," from April 14 to 30.

Open Travel Week Poster. Korea Tourism Organization

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The opening ceremony will take place on the afternoon of April 14 at Hiker Ground in Seoul. During the event, the opening of Open Travel Week will be officially declared, and hearing-impaired percussionist Lee Sungjae will present a percussion performance and a talk concert under the theme "A Journey Through the Senses."

On the first and fifth floors of Hiker Ground, the multisensory travel pop-up "Dajeongdagam" will also operate through April 30. The event will feature a "Rhythm Experience Zone," where visitors can feel the sounds of nature through vibrations, and an "Outdoor Braille Library," where books can be read by touch. Additionally, there will be a sign language challenge with "Big Ocean," Korea's first hearing-impaired idol group, and a screening of JTBC's "Begin Again," filmed against the backdrop of Hwangmaesan County Park in Hapcheon.

Benefits for vulnerable groups in tourism have also been expanded. Special discounts will be available at 36 open tourist sites and private facilities in 24 municipalities nationwide. Attractions such as Gyeongju Expo Grand Park and Kansong Art Museum will offer admission discounts of up to 60 percent, and private leisure facilities-including barrier-free travel packages, yacht tours, and rail bikes-will also participate in the campaign.

The Korea Tourism Organization will operate a total of seven sharing travel programs for 210 people from tourism-vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, seniors, and families with young children. The programs will support all aspects of travel, including accommodation, food and beverages, and transportation, by visiting open tourist destinations nationwide such as Sangju, Yangpyeong, and Jinju. For this round of applications, more than 4,000 people submitted their stories.

Park Sunghyuk, President of the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, "Through this campaign, we hope that everyone in the country can enjoy the excitement of spring without barriers," adding, "We will continue to work to create a barrier-free tourism environment so that everyone can equally enjoy the joy of travel."

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