Visitors at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul's Jongno-gu District on April 25 watch gilnori (street parade) at the Spring K-Royal Culture Festival. (Festival's official Instagram)

By Kim Hyelin

Benefits in flights, shopping and interactive activities will be expanded next month in anticipation of a surge in tourists from Japan and China.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have combined travel marketing campaigns targeting Golden Week (April 29 to May 6) in Japan and the Labor Day break (May 1-5) in China with marine tourism.

For Japanese tourists, families with children will receive a discount of JPY 1,000-JPY 2,000 per person on airfare and additional 5 kg of checked baggage on return flights. Passengers on the Fukuoka–Busan air and ferry routes will get discount coupons, while those on cruises can buy onboard fireworks and sunset viewing programs for 40%-50% off.

Benefits linked with family-friendly tourist attractions such as Jeju Snoopy Garden on Jeju Island and Daegu E-World in Daegu will also be expanded.

Customized programs have also been prepared for China and the Chinese bloc. A roulette event at the arrival hall of Gimhae International Airport offers information and discounts on travel to southeastern regions such as Busan; Ulsan; Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province; and Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

In Busan, interactive products include a "K-Beauty course" at Haeundae Beach and an "ocean activity course" in Gwangalli Beach. Airfare discounts will also seek to attract tourists from Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Canola flowers and coastal scenery on Gapado Island off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju Island (Korea.net DB)

The ministry and the KTO are also hosting the tourism campaign "May is the Month to Go to the Sea."

Lodging discounts of up to KRW 30,000 are available for one-night stays in coastal regions and up to KRW 50,000 off for two consecutive nights or more. Deals also extend to marine leisure and package tours.

Gourmet, wellness and leisure programs are running in 32 regions nationwide including Taean-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and Uljin-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, to highlight regional tourism content.

"Using Japan's Golden Week and China's Labor Day break as an opportunity, we will maintain growth momentum for inbound tourism to Korea during this holiday period," Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young said. "We hope for more foreign tourists to visit and experience firsthand its attractions such as 'K-culture.'"

kimhyelin211@korea.kr