The number of regions accepting a digital tourism pass will be more than doubled from next month. Shown is someone riding a zipline at Bridge Zipline in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi-do Province, as the business will offer pass holders discounts from June. (Bridge Zipline)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

The number of regions accepting a digital "tourist resident card" will be more than doubled from next month to offer holders discounts on accommodation, food and beverage, sightseeing and experiences.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 27 said that under a joint program with the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of regions accepting the card will rise from 15 to 34 to stimulate visits to regions with declining populations in time for the campaign "Travel Month June."

The program offers a type of honorary resident card applicable to depopulated areas facing extinction. A user can scan the card's QR code at participating tourist facilities and businesses in an area to get discounts on travel amenities and experiences.

A combined 500 tourist facilities and businesses in 19 newly added regions will offer discounts comparable to those for residents. The additional areas include Yangyang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province; Gapyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province; Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province; and Hapcheon-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

Over 700,000 of the cards have been issued.

Those interested can apply for a pass on the Visit Korea website (www.visitkorea.or.kr) or its mobile app.

aisylu@korea.kr