Travelers visiting depopulated areas by train will receive discount coupons equal to their train fare. Staying on islands will provide accommodation discounts of up to 50,000 won, and driving to these areas will earn points. Compared to last autumn, the support targets and methods have changed significantly.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization held the '2026 Travel Autumn' launch ceremony on September 15 in Seoul's Seongdong District. The two agencies will promote a domestic travel campaign from October 1 to November 30, reducing costs for cars, trains, flights, accommodations, and camping fees. The slogan is 'Deep Autumn, Light Travel.'
Unlike last year, the participation method has changed. Last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism collaborated with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and six economic organizations from the launch ceremony. This year, the Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization are leading the campaign, while related ministries and economic organizations will engage in collaborative projects focused on train travel to depopulated areas and rural and fishing village tourism. This approach mirrors the '2026 Travel Spring' campaign held in April and May. During the campaign, regional tourism content and various travel benefits will also be promoted.
◆ New 'T-map Points' for Car Travelers; Up to 50,000 Won Off Island Stays
Benefits for car travelers have changed. Last autumn, discounts of 30% were offered on express and intercity bus fares to depopulated areas. This year, travelers driving to these regions will earn points instead.
Using T-map, if travelers select a tourist destination among 89 depopulated area attractions and drive more than 30 kilometers from their starting point, they will accumulate stamps and points based on the visited area. The first stamp earns 5,000 points, the second 10,000 points, and the third 15,000 points, allowing a maximum of 30,000 points per account. Electric vehicle drivers and those who submit video reviews will receive an additional 2,000 points each, and using a digital tourist resident card in the visited area will grant another 5,000 points.
A new accommodation discount for island regions will be available. Starting September 22, online travel agencies will offer 80,000 accommodation discount vouchers, with 10,000 allocated for island areas. This applies to 32 local governments that include 433 inhabited islands outside the capital region. Reservations for accommodation products over 70,000 won will receive a 50,000 won discount, while those between 30,000 and 70,000 won will receive a 30,000 won discount.
For general accommodations outside the capital, a 30,000 won discount is available for reservations over 70,000 won, and a 20,000 won discount for those between 20,000 and 70,000 won. For two or more nights, a discount of 70,000 won is available for payments over 140,000 won. These vouchers can be used until November 8. This year, local budgets will also contribute, resulting in varying distribution amounts by region.
Separate support measures have been established for Geoje and Tongyeong, which suffered damage from heavy rainfall. The Korea Tourism Organization's Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam branch will sell marine tourism products for Geoje and Tongyeong at a 20,000 won discount. Participants in the 'Let's Go, Geoje! - Geoje Healing Project' on September 19 will receive souvenirs, and a tourism site visit certification event will be held to support the recovery of local tourism and consumption.
◆ Travel Package Discounts Increased from 30% to 50%; 'Tomorrow Pass' Discount Doubled
Some existing benefits have seen increased discounts. The travel package discount event, which offered a maximum of 30% last autumn, will now provide discounts of up to 50%. The limit per person is 50,000 won. Sales will begin on September 21, and purchased products can be used from October 1 to November 30.
The discount for the 'Tomorrow Pass' has also doubled from 10,000 won last year to 20,000 won this year. Benefits for train travel to depopulated areas will continue. After purchasing a free travel product to one of the 41 depopulated areas in partnership with Korail, travelers can receive a 100% refund of their ticket price in the form of train discount coupons by visiting designated tourist sites. Five themed trains, including the West Sea Gold Train and the East Sea Santa Train, will offer a 50% discount.
The 'Regional Love Vacation Support' program will refund half of the money spent at travel destinations. By visiting designated areas in Gangwon, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, and Jeonnam, travelers can receive a 50% refund of their expenses in mobile local currency, with a maximum of 100,000 won for individuals, 140,000 won for youth, 200,000 won for groups of two or more, and 500,000 won for families of five.
◆ 'Five Colors of Five People' Themed Travel; Benefits for Rail, Air, and Camping Continue
The themed travel program, which provided an average discount of 45% on six travel themes last autumn, has changed its operation this year. Under the name 'Five Colors of Five People,' it will explore five themes across 25 regions.
The five themes include 'Autumn Flavors,' 'Lucky Hiking,' 'Tension Up,' 'Family Picnic,' and 'Earth Friendly,' covering 25 regions nationwide. The participation fee is approximately 40,000 won, and participants will receive a 10,000 won gift certificate on the day of the event. A total of 700 participants will be involved. From October 17 to November 15, five sessions will be held for each theme, with influencers accompanying the first session of each theme.
For air travel, routes from Gimpo to Gwangju, Ulsan, Yeosu, Pohang, and Jeju to Gimhae, Cheongju, Daegu, Yangyang, Gwangju, Ulsan, Yeosu, Pohang, and Sacheon will be included. By purchasing round-trip tickets through Naver, travelers can receive 10,000 points for each booking on inland routes, up to a maximum of 40,000 points, and 5,000 points for each booking on Jeju routes, up to a maximum of 20,000 points, refunded via Naver Pay.
Camping enthusiasts will benefit from the return of the 'Easy Camping' discount, which offers 10,000 won off reservations at registered campgrounds. Approximately 128,000 participants in the worker vacation support program can also receive discounts of up to 50% on accommodation, entry tickets, and transportation, with a limit of 50,000 won.
Rental car discounts in coastal areas will continue. In 64 coastal cities and counties outside the capital region, renting hybrid, electric, or LPG vehicles for more than 24 hours will receive a 10,000 won discount, and for more than 48 hours, a 20,000 won discount. In Jeju, the discounts are 5,000 won and 10,000 won, respectively. However, the rental car discount is only applicable from October 1 to 31, making it shorter than other major transportation benefits.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young stated, “As we enter autumn, a season perfect for travel after the hot summer, the Ministry will robustly support the public's autumn travel. I hope this campaign will create wonderful memories for families and bring new vitality to local areas.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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