Busan kicks off its biggest sales event next month, offering discounts up to 70 percent in shopping, accommodation, dining and travel programs in the city’s popular tourist destinations from Sept. 1 to Oct. 10.

Nearly 3,800 businesses are participating in the 2013 Busan Grand Sale, up by 63 percent from 2,400 shops that participated in last year’s sales event.

For shopping, department stores and duty-free shops offer discounts and free gifts: Lotte Duty Free offers a 5 to 15 percent discount on luxury apparel and accessories; Shinsegae Centum City and Lotte Department Store provide gifts such as dried laver to tourists. 

New shopping outlet Shinsegae Simon Busan Premier, which opened on Aug. 29, offers a coupon book that tourists can use to receive discounts of 5 to 10 percent.

Local markets are participating in the sales as well. Around 1,900 shops from the four famous traditional markets, including Busan Kukje Market and Bujeon Ginseng Market, provide 5 to 20 percent off on local specialties.

Five-star hotels, business hotels and guest houses are also taking part in the grand sale. Kunoh Seacloud Hotel and Kolon Seacloud Hotel offer 70 percent discount on guest rooms, except during the week of the Busan International Film Festival from Oct. 4-12. Guests can book guestrooms on weekdays from Sunday to Friday at a price starting from 120,000 won ($108).

Novotel Ambassador Busan and Hotel Nongshim offer a 60 percent discount, Haeundae Centum Hotel 50 percent, and Lotte Hotel and Haeundae Grand Hotel 40 percent on weekdays.

The Westin Chosun offers 40 percent off for guest room reservations made by foreign tourists.

As part of the grand sale, 15 restaurants are presenting their signature dishes at affordable prices. Tourists can enjoy dining at the Nobelia Seafood Buffet in Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, at a 20 percent discount.

Tourists can receive a 10 percent discount on yacht tour that travels along the coastline of the port city that offers a wonderful view of Gwangan Bridge, Nurimaru APEC House and Oryukdo Island.

Tickets for the Busan City Tour Bus are offered at a 20 percent discount while tickets for the cruise ships Pan Star Cruise and Tiffany 21 are available at a 10 percent discount.

For more information, visit www.bto.or.kr or call (051) 780-2177.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)