A nationwide grand sale event sponsored by the South Korean government will kick off next month with hopes to create a festive mood in line with the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the Visit Korea Committee said on Monday.

According to the committee, the 2018 Korea Grand Sale event will be held from Jan. 18 to Feb. 28, providing up to 95 percent discount on products of 580 brands. Last year, 527 brands joined the event.

This year’s 42-day grand sale festival will particularly focus on enhancing travel content of Gangwon Province where the Winter Olympics will take place from Feb. 9 to 25. The committee will open travel information kiosks and event zones at seven key locations and offer travel information and translation services.

Companies joining the festival will hold prize-offering events and open special experience zones.

A number of Gangwon-based resorts including Hansol Oak Valley Resort and Welli Hilli Park Resort and other attractions such as Gyeongpo Aquarium, indoor adventure Dynamic Maze, and Alive Heart museum will offer discounts and souvenirs to attract foreign tourists to the region. Foreign-national travelers who buy K-Travel Bus tickets will be given free gifts, the committee said. The bus tour package that takes passengers to famous attractions in Gangwon Province will be offered free of charge on Feb. 23.

During the grand sale festival, 10 temples across the country including Woljeongsa and Baekdamsa in Gangwon Province will offer 20 percent discount to travelers signing up for their temple stay programs.

By Shin Ik-su and Lee Eun-joo

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]