South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced a tourism initiative targeting population decline regions, launching a digital travel pass program on August 10. The digital certificate program encourages visitors to explore 16 designated rural counties and districts facing demographic shrinkage by offering local currency incentives for using regional lodging, dining, cafes, and recreational facilities.
How the Digital Travel Pass Works
Travelers participating in the program can apply for the pass starting August 10 through designated regional currency mobile applications, including the Chak platform. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, visitors use these apps during their trips across the 16 participating counties and districts to earn and spend local currency credits. The system aims to direct tourist spending straight into local small businesses, covering expenses at registered accommodations, restaurants, and experiential tourism sites.
Targeted Regions and Economic Goals
The initiative specifically covers 16 local government jurisdictions classified as population-decline areas by the South Korean government. Local economies in these rural zones have experienced sustained contractions due to demographic aging and outward migration. By tying the digital travel pass to regional currency systems like Chak, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety seeks to track tourism’s direct economic impact while boosting consumption in retail and hospitality sectors that rely heavily on transient visitors.
Implementation Timeline and Next Steps
Registration for the digital travel pass opens nationwide on August 10 for any traveler planning trips to the 16 designated rural districts. Local governments managing the participating jurisdictions plan to release additional merchant enrollment lists through their respective regional currency applications ahead of the launch date. Officials will monitor the program’s usage metrics to evaluate whether expanding the digital pass model to other declining administrative zones is viable for future tourism campaigns.
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