Korea Shopping Festival Kicks Off with Discounts Up to 90% Off

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

The 2013 Korea Shopping Festival has begun, running from January 11 to February 28 — a total of 49 days. Over 24,700 businesses in cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Jeju have joined forces to create the largest shopping festival in history, offering foreign tourists discounts ranging from 70% to 10% off, along with a variety of shopping promotions.

%The 49-day Korea Shopping Festival is about to begin. (Photo / Provided by Korea Tourism Organization)

The 49-day Korea Shopping Festival will take place in cities including Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, South Jeolla Province, North Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju. Popular destinations among tourists such as Galleria, Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Hyundai Department Store, as well as duty-free shops like Dongwha, Lotte, Shilla, Walkerhill, and the Korea Tourism Organization, shopping malls like Dongdaemun Doota and Hello apM, Gimpo International Airport’s luxury discount center, the Yeoju/Paju luxury discount centers, various tourism-related facilities, and performances are all part of this shopping festival.

The highly popular “One More Night Promotion” (free extra night stay), previously well-received, has been expanded to 50 designated hotels nationwide. Guests can also enjoy special offers at hotel restaurants and complimentary use of hotel facilities.

Additionally, to help foreign tourists better engage with the various activities of the shopping festival, the KEB PLAZA in front of the Woori Bank headquarters in Myeongdong, Seoul — the event hub of the 2013 Korea Shopping Festival — will provide event information, interpretation services in Chinese, English, and Japanese, welcome gifts, the Big Chance prize draw, a K-pop star photo zone, and other convenient services.

Each week will feature a unique themed event: Myeongdong Week to experience Seoul’s shopping and tourist hub, Fashion Week with appearances by style icons, Beauty Week where you can try out K-pop star-inspired makeup, Food Week for a taste of Korea’s must-try cuisine, and finally, Entertainment Week to wrap up the festival with unforgettable fun.