Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran (center) poses for a photo after presenting gifts to tourists in front of the Korea Grand Sale Welcome Center in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Wednesday.  (Culture Ministry)
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran (center) poses for a photo after presenting gifts to tourists in front of the Korea Grand Sale Welcome Center in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Wednesday. (Culture Ministry)

The 2025 Korea Grand Sale officially kicked off Wednesday, marking the largest event in the festival’s history with participation from over 1,680 companies. The event runs through Feb. 28.

Korea Grand Sale, a flagship shopping and cultural tourism festival, is aimed at boosting international tourism and spending during the winter. Organized in collaboration with private companies, the festival offers discounts and benefits on airlines, accommodations, shopping, dining and more.

Airline promotions launched in September feature discounts of up to 94 percent on 214 inbound routes through 10 domestic airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Travelers can also enjoy free extra baggage allowances and in-flight Wi-Fi vouchers.

In addition, partnerships with online travel agencies such as Trip.com and Konest are offering discounts of up to 31 percent on flights to Korea from China, Hong Kong and Japan via foreign airlines.

Hotels like Ibis Styles Ambassador and Mayfield Hotel are participating in special promotions, offering up to 19 percent off room rates.

Major retailers, including department stores, duty-free shops, supermarkets and outlets, are holding shopping events. Consumers can receive vouchers, shopping credits and coupon books worth up to 1 million won ($690) based on purchase amounts at locations in Seoul, Busan and other cities.

This year’s festival expands its experience programs from one location to five and from 12 activities to 17. New offerings include the Nongshim Ramen Factory Tour, O’ngo Food Night Dining Tour, ESteem Model Training Class and Traditional Accessory Crafting at the Bukchon Traditional Craft Experience Center.

Regional tourism is also being promoted through activities like visits to Gangwon Province attractions, soju factory tours, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival and taekwondo and skiing lessons at Muju Taekwondowon.

To improve the travel experience for international tourists, partnerships with service platforms and apps have been strengthened in areas such as transportation, dining and payments.

Welcome centers for Korea Grand Sale have been set up in popular shopping districts, including Myeong-dong, Hongdae, Seongsu and Gangnam in Seoul. These centers provide coupon books and offer prizes for visitors who present receipts or complete immediate tax refunds.

“Through this event, we aim to revitalize the inbound tourism market, stimulate domestic spending, and set a positive tone for the tourism industry this year,” said Deputy Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran.