"Double Carbon Points, 300,000 More Accommodation Coupons"... Boosting Eco-Friendly Consumption and Tourism Simultaneously

The government is implementing measures to boost domestic demand by both doubling the maximum amount of carbon neutrality points and supplying an additional 300,000 accommodation coupons to population-declining regions outside the Seoul metropolitan area, thereby promoting both eco-friendly consumption and tourism. Additional support will also be provided across all areas of consumption, such as expanding the half-price travel reimbursement to include public transportation and increasing discounts on Onnuri gift certificates.

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On April 28, the government announced that, during a cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jaemyung at the Blue House, it had introduced and discussed the "Eco-Friendly Green Consumption and Tourism Boom-up Plan." To spread eco-friendly consumption, a nationwide participatory campaign called "Everyone's Green Consumption" will be launched, and from May 6 to 17, an event will be held where participants can earn double carbon neutrality points when using reusable cups through participating companies.

Specifically, the reward for using a reusable cup will increase from 300 won to 600 won, and for discharging high-quality recyclables, the reward will also be raised from 300 won to 600 won per kilogram. Starting this month, retailers that sell products with an energy-saving mark will be able to offer an additional discount of up to 5 percentage points on local community gift certificates. Along with expanding flexible work arrangements, the "Everyone's Card" benefit, which encourages public transportation use, will also be enhanced by halving the standard fixed amount and increasing the reimbursement rate during staggered commuting hours by up to 30 percentage points.

Measures to revitalize local economies will be implemented in parallel. Until May 10, the Donghaeng Festival will be run as an eco-friendly event in conjunction with 50 local festivals nationwide, and the discount rate for digital Onnuri gift certificates will be increased from 7% to 10% from May 1 to May 5. At century-old stores and traditional markets, a 10% bill discount will be offered for payments over 30,000 won, and cashback and prize events will be held at Onnuri-affiliated merchants. To stabilize prices, agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products will be discounted by up to 40% with a budget of 10 billion won from May to June, eggs will be discounted by a flat rate of 1,000 won per 30 eggs, and special discount events for Korean beef and pork will be held using self-help funds. For seafood, a separate budget of 12 billion won will provide discounts ranging from 20% to 50%.

The Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is bustling with citizens ahead of the major national holiday, Seollal, on the 7th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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In the tourism sector, in addition to the existing 200,000 accommodation coupons, an additional 300,000 coupons will be supplied to population-declining regions outside the Seoul metropolitan area, and the scope of the 50% half-price travel reimbursement will be expanded. Previously, based on this year's supplementary budget, 50% of the cost of dining, experiences, and accommodation in population-declining areas was reimbursed in local community gift certificates, but now, public transportation expenses incurred within these areas will also be included. During the holiday period from May 1 to May 5, convenience of travel will be enhanced by increasing rail services by 64 trips and adding 33,000 seats, as well as operating 2,580 flights on 20 airline routes.

The public sector will be encouraged to take leave and travel in May, and leave compensation for public servants will be paid early during the same month. To attract more foreign tourists, the Korea Duty-Free Festa will be held until May 31, and 40 K-drama and movie filming location tours will be offered. The route between Incheon Airport and Gimhae Airport will be increased to four times per week starting this month, and a new route between Incheon Airport and Jeju Airport will begin operating twice weekly from next month.

Support for vulnerable groups is also included. Emergency livelihood assistance will be expanded by 16,000 cases, and fuel subsidy payments for those affected by high oil prices will provide between 100,000 won and 600,000 won per person to the bottom 70% income group. The Hope Return Package will be expanded to 55,000 cases, and the Employment Retention Subsidy will be increased to cover 48,000 individuals. The government plans to swiftly implement these policies through execution of the supplementary budget and cooperation with local governments, while closely monitoring the Middle East conflict and consumption trends to prepare additional measures as needed.

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