Korea launches campaign to crack down on price gouging at major festivals

South Korea is launching a nationwide campaign to prevent unfair food prices and improve hospitality at its biggest festivals. The campaign begins at the Boryeong Mud Festival and aims to make regional festivals more attractive to international tourists.

The campaign, called Global Festa Check-In, is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Korea Tourism Organization. It will later expand to other major festivals, including the Andong Mask Dance Festival, Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, and Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival.

The government hopes the campaign will encourage fair prices, friendly service, and enjoyable experiences for visitors. Officials believe these improvements will encourage tourists to return and help local festivals gain international recognition.

Visitors can join fun activities such as a relay stamp tour featuring the "Where's Wally?" character and a food price verification event where they can check and share menu prices. Participants can receive souvenirs and food vouchers.

This year, the Boryeong Mud Festival has also added new attractions, including a K-beauty experience zone, nighttime mud activities, more storage lockers, easier payment methods, and better transportation services for foreign visitors.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20260731/korea-launches-campaign-to-crack-down-on-price-gouging-at-major-festivals

Comprehension

What is the main goal of the Global Festa Check-In campaign?
Which festival is the first to launch the campaign?
What are the three main goals of the campaign?
What activities can visitors join during the campaign?
What new services has the Boryeong Mud Festival introduced this year?

Discussion

Why are fair prices important for tourists?
What makes a festival enjoyable for visitors?
Have you ever visited a famous festival? What was your experience?
How can a country attract more international tourists?
Do you think food prices at festivals are usually reasonable? Why or why not?
Which Korean festival would you like to visit? Why?
What kind of souvenirs do you like to buy when traveling?
If you organized a local festival, what activities would you include?

Vocabulary

Campaign – a planned series of activities to achieve a goal.
Hospitality – friendly and welcoming treatment of guests or visitors.
Festival – a special event with celebrations, performances, or activities.
Fair – reasonable and honest.
Tourist – a person who travels for pleasure.
Souvenir – something you buy or keep to remember a place or event.
Verify – to check that something is true or correct.
Convenience – the quality of being easy to use or helpful.