A budget day-trip program offering transportation, meals and hands-on experiences for just 29,000 won ($21) per person launches this spring. The program pairs participants with celebrities including actor Yoo Yeon-seok, chefs and content creators for themed one-day excursions.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced Wednesday they are recruiting 1,000 participants for the "Five People, Five Colors Taste Travel" program as part of the "2026 Spring Travel" campaign. The program aims to boost tourism in depopulating regions.
For 29,000 won per person, participants receive round-trip transportation, local experience programs and two meals covering lunch and dinner on a day trip. The trips run from April 17 to May 9 across 25 sessions.
The program centers on preference-based content. Five themes — seasonal cuisine, photography, running, calligraphy transcription and solo travel — each feature a well-known guide. Chef Park Eun-young leads the food-themed trips, while actor Yoo Yeon-seok heads the photography excursions. Content creators join the running, calligraphy transcription and solo travel tracks to deepen the immersive experience.
Participants will sample regional dishes at traditional markets, learn photography techniques at scenic spots and go running while enjoying local specialties. Destinations span 25 regions nationwide, including Geochang, Jecheon, Pyeongchang, Hadong and Haenam.
The program also links with government tourism initiatives such as the Digital Tourism Residency Card and the "Local Love Vacation Support" half-price travel subsidy to encourage extended stays in smaller cities.
Registration takes place in two rounds from April 2 to April 22, with participants selected by lottery. Each person may apply once and bring up to one companion. The solo travel theme, however, is limited to individual participants only.
"We designed the program so that travelers can discover hidden regional charms through experiences tailored to their preferences," said Kim Seok, director general of public tourism at the ministry. "It will be a program that delivers both value and experience."