The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City announced Sunday it will reimburse tourists 50 percent of their travel expenses at 16 islands across eight cities and counties under a new half-price island travel program.
The initiative was launched to coincide with the "2026 South Jeolla Province-Gwangju Year of Island Visits" and the opening of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, with the aim of encouraging tourists to stay longer and spend more in the region.
Tourists who visit participating islands and spend on accommodation, food or activities will receive 50 percent of their expenditure back — up to 100,000 won ($72) per person — as a mobile local currency voucher.
The program runs through Nov. 4 across 16 islands: Dalido and Oedaldo in Mokpo; Hahwado, Sado, Geomundo, Gaedo and Geumodo in Yeosu; Ssukseom and Yeonhongdo in Goheung; Jangdo in Boseong; Gaudo in Gangjin; Songido in Yeonggwang; Gwanmaedo in Jindo; and Heuksando, Banyeol-Bakjido and Jeungdo in Sinan.
Tourists can apply through the South Jeolla Province-Gwangju tourism platform up to five days before their trip.
Oh Mi-gyeong, head of the tourism division at the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, said she hopes visitors to the Yeosu World Island Expo will go beyond the expo grounds and explore the region's diverse islands. "We want the half-price island travel program to ease the financial burden on tourists and give them a reason to come back to the islands of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju," she said.
sij@heraldcorp.com
