Pick Up Autumn Trip Discounts with a Digital Tourism Resident Card

What is the Digital Tourism Resident Card?

It's a mobile honorary resident card run by the Korea Tourism Organization to boost tourism in areas facing population decline. You don't move your address; you issue a card for the area you're visiting and get discounts at its partner venues.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced an expansion on June 8, 2026. Eight areas, including Boeun, Sunchang, Goheung, Damyang, Wando, Uljin, Sancheong, and Hamyang, joined that day, taking the total from 44 to 52 according to news reports, and the official site's area list also shows 52. It covers places from Cheorwon, Pyeongchang, and Jeongseon in Gangwon to Danyang, Jecheon, Okcheon, Andong, Yeongju, three districts of Busan, Hadong, and Hapcheon.

If you travel by train, the depopulation-area rail coupon is worth a look, and by car, the Tmap depopulation-area points cover the same areas.

What discounts can you get?

Benefits fall into five areas: food and drink, sightseeing, activities, shopping, and lodging, and the site says a regional rail event also offers Korail train discount coupons. Discounts vary by venue. Below are some benefits shown in the official site's "Weekly TOP10" on October 18, 2026.

(Korea Tourism Organization Digital Tourism Resident Card site, checked 2026-10-18. Venues can change these.)

The same site also lists a travel subsidy event for Okcheon, Boeun, and Yeongdong (Sept 21 – Nov 30, 2026). Each event has its own conditions, so check its event page.

How do you issue it?

The Korea Tourism Organization's steps are:

1. Log in: Use social login on Tour Pass One, the organization's integrated service.
2. Sign up: Join Visit Korea and agree to the terms of service.
3. Verify identity and residence: Complete identity verification and confirm your residence.
4. Pick areas: Issue the card for the area you'll visit. Once issued, it appears on your phone right away.

If your trip covers several counties, it's easier to issue cards for all of them before you leave. Signing up on site can take time at the verification step.

How do you use it on site?

The official guide lists three ways.

• Show your QR: After issuing, scan "My Integrated Tourism Resident Card QR" from My Page at the venue's QR reader, or show it to staff.
• Get a mobile coupon: Within 3 km of a partner venue, issue a mobile coupon and show it to staff.
• Scan the venue's QR: Scan the partner QR posted at the venue with your phone to get a coupon, then show it.

Older visitors who find smartphones hard can use a temporary card. Call the operations office (02-6271-2016) to receive it by text; only that person can use it for 3 days from issue.

What should you check before leaving?

First, check that the venue is still a partner. Benefits change venue by venue, so a discount you saw last month may not be there now. The ministry also said it will gather opinions through November 2026 to revise issuing requirements and benefit standards, so the rules may change.

Show the card or coupon before you pay. Whether a venue will apply the discount after payment varies, and the official guide doesn't say. Some activity programs need reservations, so check the venue's notices too.

Quick summary

If your autumn foliage trip is in one of the 52 areas, check that area's partner venues and discounts on the official site the day before you leave, and issue your card.