Biggest Ever “Korea Grand Sale” — A Complete Guide to Discounts and Fun for Tourists
The mega shopping and tourism festival for international visitors, Korea Grand Sale, is back on its largest scale ever. Running for nearly two months from December 17, 2025 to February 22, 2026, this year’s event brings together about 1,750 participating companies across airlines, accommodation, shopping, dining, experiences, and convenience services. Foreign tourists can enjoy massive discounts and a wide variety of experiential programs throughout the festival period.
Myeongdong Welcome Center: A Must-Visit Spot for Tourists
Located on the first floor of Noon Square in Myeongdong, Seoul, the Korea Grand Sale Welcome Center serves as a base camp for international visitors during the event. Even in freezing temperatures of –5°C, the center has been bustling with tourists from China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and beyond, attracting an average of around 600 visitors per day.
At the Welcome Center, visitors can receive travel information, discount coupon packs, and interpretation services. They can also enjoy hands-on experiences with traditional Korean games such as gonggi (jacks), ttakji (paper flipping), and jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), as well as photo booth events. In particular, the coupon packs, which come with souvenirs like face masks, stickers, and keyrings, can be used immediately at duty-free shops, drugstores, and major fashion brands, making them highly popular.
WOWPASS Card Gains Popularity — A Prepaid Card for Foreign Visitors
Among the giveaways, the most popular item is the WOWPASS Card, a prepaid card designed exclusively for foreign tourists. In addition to functioning as a transportation card, it can be preloaded and used like a debit card, making it especially convenient for visitors who prefer not to carry large amounts of cash.
A Welcome Center staff member noted, “The two things tourists ask about the most are the WOWPASS Card and brand coupon packs. They offer real practical value, so the response has been extremely positive.”
From Flights to Hotels and Shopping — Benefits from 1,750 Participating Companies
This year’s Korea Grand Sale features about 1,750 participating companies across all sectors, including airlines, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, cafés, experiences, and convenience services. For airline promotions, 10 domestic airlines, including Korean Air, are offering discounts of up to 96% on international routes to Korea.
Hotels have introduced experiential accommodation packages that combine stays with palace admission tickets. Major department stores, duty-free shops, outlets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores nationwide are also offering gifts and additional discounts based on purchase amounts. This creates the perfect environment for foreign tourists who want to enjoy both shopping and sightseeing at the same time.
Play Trucks and Play Lounges in Operation
In addition to the Welcome Center, mobile information and experience facilities called Play Trucks are operating at major tourist hubs popular with international visitors. The Play Trucks travel across the country, including Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, and Jeonju, hosting local commerce activation events and a variety of hands-on programs.
Meanwhile, starting January 16, a dedicated experience and relaxation space for foreign tourists, the Play Lounge, opened in Bukchon, Seoul. This venue will remain open until the end of the festival, offering a place where visitors can enjoy both relaxation and cultural experiences.
K-Content and Regional Festival Experience Programs
Another highlight of the Korea Grand Sale is its experiential tourism programs linked with K-content and regional festivals. The K-Experience programs are organized into five themes — K-food, entertainment, beauty & fashion, wellness, and culture & arts. Activities include making chicken, fish cakes, and bibimbap, learning K-pop choreography, attending music shows, touring broadcasting stations, and taking one-day ski lessons.
Programs also include temple stays, traditional Korean medicine experiences, and visits to K-content hotspots. The K-Train packages, which depart from Seoul to destinations such as Jeonju in North Jeolla Province and Taebaek in Gangwon Province, have also received an enthusiastic response. These packages allow travelers to enjoy both scenic train journeys and cultural experiences at the same time.
Tourism Impact Expands to Local Business Districts
The Korea Grand Sale goes beyond a simple discount event. It is designed to extend the length of stay for international visitors and boost overall spending. By connecting flights, accommodation, shopping, experiences, and regional tourism in a one-stop format, the festival is expected to generate significant ripple effects for local economies.
In particular, as visitor numbers increase around major tourist hubs such as Myeongdong, Bukchon, Jeonju, and Busan, the event is expected to contribute to higher sales for small businesses and to job creation.
How to Join the Korea Grand Sale & Where to Get Information
Information on major benefits, experiential programs, and participating companies of the Korea Grand Sale can be found on the official integrated website. By coordinating airline tickets, accommodation, and shopping coupons with your travel schedule, you can maximize your overall discount benefits.
For more details, visit the Korea Grand Sale Official Website .
Held on the largest scale ever, Korea Grand Sale is regarded as one of the key events driving the success of Korea’s tourism industry in the first half of 2026. If you are planning a trip to Korea, this is an opportunity you absolutely should not miss.