Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Launches “Fair Accommodation Challenge” Beginning with Beomeosa Temple During BTS Concert Period

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk, announced that it is making every effort to welcome domestic and international visitors coming to Busan for the “BTS World Tour IN Busan” concerts scheduled for June 12 and 13, while fostering a healthy tourism culture and strengthening Busan’s image as a global tourism city.

Since April 22, the city has designated a special inspection period and launched intensive inspections through a joint task force involving the city’s Health and Sanitation Division, Tourism MICE Industry Division, Special Judicial Police Division, the Fair Trade Commission, the Korea Consumer Agency, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, and district offices.

In particular, accommodation businesses that receive complaints related to excessive pricing through tourism inconvenience reports will be subject to tax-related investigations in cooperation with the National Tax Service.

The city is also promoting a public accommodation project to address difficulties tourists face in securing lodging reservations.

At the end of April, the city designated Geumnyeonsan and Gudeok Youth Training Centers, capable of accommodating approximately 400 foreign tourists at a rate of KRW 10,350 per person per night, along with the Naewonjeongsa Temple Stay program at KRW 80,500 per person per night including dinner, breakfast, and temple experiences, as public accommodation facilities. All 452 spots have now been fully reserved.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan Corporation’s Arpina youth hostel will open all rooms from June 11 to 13 and maintain its regular accommodation rates regardless of festival demand under its “Good Price” policy. All rooms have already been fully booked.

Beginning with Beomeosa Temple’s decision to provide free lodging and temple meals for 20 guests in 10 twin rooms from June 11 to 14, Seonamsa Temple will also offer free accommodation for 15 guests in six rooms from June 11 to 13, while Hongbeopsa Temple will provide free lodging for 48 guests in 16 rooms from June 12 to 13 and for 21 guests in seven rooms from June 13 to 14, all for international tourists.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to accept reservations for the free accommodations through the Visit Busan website and select guests through a random draw.

Reservation links have been posted on Visit Busan, the city’s official tourism website (https://www.visitbusan.net), with applications accepted from May 22 through May 25. Participants will be selected by lottery from among applicants.

As the accommodations are located within temple facilities, mixed-gender room sharing is prohibited, and guests must bring their own toiletries.

Starting with participation from the Buddhist community, the city is currently discussing measures with the tourism industry, local businesses, and universities to provide accommodations at fair prices.

Jeongo Sunim, head monk of Beomeosa Temple, stated, “We decided to support free accommodations because we believe Busan citizens’ warm hospitality and mature civic spirit should not be overshadowed by a few negative cases. We will continue engaging in various public interest activities together with the local community and actively contribute to presenting Busan as a city of trust and consideration to tourists visiting Busan.”

Additionally, several hotels have expressed their intention to participate in the Fair Accommodation Challenge, and information about these participating hotels will be provided through the Visit Busan website.

Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk stated, “Many citizens are warmly welcoming tourists visiting Busan for the BTS concerts, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the local Buddhist community, including Beomeosa Temple, for taking the initiative to help enhance Busan’s image. As some businesses have also expressed their intention to join the challenge, I hope visitors will return home with wonderful memories and special experiences through the warm hospitality created collectively by the citizens of Busan.”