SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced the commencement of recruitment for its ‘2025 Seoul Happiness Tour,’ an initiative dedicated to providing enriching travel experiences for residents facing economic and physical barriers. The program aims to foster inclusivity and well-being by offering fully supported trips to those who might otherwise be unable to enjoy such opportunities. Since its inception in 2017, the ‘Seoul Happiness Tour’ has become a cornerstone of the city's efforts to promote accessible tourism.
For the 2025 edition, the city has curated 14 distinct travel packages, each designed to offer a comfortable and engaging 1-night, 2-day experience for two participants. The comprehensive support package includes accommodation (up to 410,000 KRW), two meals, transportation within the itinerary, and participation in various local activities. Eligibility for the program extends to Seoul residents aged six and above who fall under the category of tourism vulnerable, including individuals with disabilities, those from low-income households, and single-parent families, as defined by the Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act. To ensure equitable distribution of opportunities, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will employ a selection process that reflects the statistical proportions of each eligible group within the city's population.
Building on this inclusive approach, the city plans to further expand the program in the latter half of the year with a special recruitment of 100 teams specifically comprising individuals with disabilities. This additional initiative will offer group excursions to destinations outside of Seoul, providing a broader range of travel experiences tailored to their needs.
Interested Seoul residents are invited to submit their applications through the official ‘Seoul Happiness Tour’ website (www.happyseoultour.or.kr) between April 7th and April 27th. Successful applicants will be individually notified of the selection results on May 21st.
Gu Jong-won, Director-General of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Tourism and Sports Bureau, emphasized the city's ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming and accessible tourism environment for all. "Our ‘Seoul Happiness Tour’ embodies our vision of a warm and attractive tourism city that prioritizes the needs of all its citizens, particularly those who are often marginalized," stated Director-General Gu. "By continually expanding and refining our inclusive tourism policies, we aim to not only provide memorable travel experiences but also to contribute to a more inclusive and happy society for everyone."
The ‘2025 Seoul Happiness Tour’ underscores the Seoul Metropolitan Government's dedication to social inclusion and its recognition of the profound positive impact that travel can have on individual well-being. By removing financial and physical barriers, the city is ensuring that more of its residents have the chance to create cherished memories and experience the joy of travel. This initiative serves as a model for how urban centers can actively work towards building a more equitable and compassionate society.
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