A poster to publicize the 2020 Korea Grand Sale, which will last until Feb. 29.

Starting Jan. 16, the 2020 Korea Grand Sale, targeting international visitors, will last for 45 days in all areas across the nation.

The 2020 Korea Grand Sale is the 11th rendition of an integrated festival that combines tourism, hallyu (Korean Wave), and shopping for inbound travelers.

Secretary General Han Kyung-ah of the Visit Korea Committee said, “(We) will make a good preparation in cooperation with the tourism industry for the Korea Grand Sale to serve as a festive occasion to experience and consume Korea’s diverse culture on top of pleasant shopping experiences.”

The annual event, being held under the concept “Invitation to the Korea Grand Sale,” not only offers discounts for the shopping, airline and accommodation sectors, but also presents a special promotion utilizing Korea’s own cultural content.

Vice Minister Choi Yoon-hee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Secretary General Han Kyung-ah of the Visit Korea Committee, foreign visitors and others attend an opening ceremony of the 2020 Korea Grand Sale in front of the Doota Mall in Seoul on Jan. 16. (Photos: Visit Korea Committee)

Inbound tourism promotion has been souped-up to attract more international visitors to Korea. Up to 95 percent discounts are offered on 100 Korea-bound flights originating from foreign countries.

Eight Korean airliners – Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Easter Jet, T’way Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul – are joining in the discount promotion. In particular, more benefits are offered for flights to provincial airports to lure international visitors to provincial regions.

Under a program to promote train travel, up to 35 percent discounts are offered on products combining KTX and entrance tickets of major tourism spots.

Travelers on direct express trains between Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station on the Airport Railroad receive fee discount benefits while shuttle bus tour packages such as K Travel bus tour and EG Tour Bus are given a 50 percent discount for two persons.

They are designed to provide more convenience to international visitors they can tour to provincial areas and experience them at their ease and more conveniently, and about 300 hotels across the nation are also joining forces in giving up to 80 percent discounts in accommodation charges to reinvigorate inbound travel.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Korea Grand Sale, five K-culture special promotion activities inviting international visitors – K-pop, K-beauty, K-food, K-heritage and K-winter – take place.

Foreigners are invited to the sites of the five K-culture special promotion activities, and they are encouraged to make their participation and Korea’s charming attractions known abroad.

The special guests have been selected from 10 countries, including China, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Germany, and Spain, in cooperation with overseas branches of the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS).

Special events are expected to take place at places such as Doota Mall, Seoul Outlet of Shilla Duty-Free, the head outlet of Lotte Department Store, the head outlet of Lotte Duty-Free, the Myeongdong outlet of Shinsegae Duty-Free, the Myeongdong outlet of Shinsegae Department Store, the Gangnam outlet of Shinsegae Duty-Free, the Gangnam outlet of Shinsegae Department Store, Dongwha Duty-Free, and Everland.