“Love Regional Rail Travel” recognised for promoting sustainable tourism and supporting regional economies
The Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) won the Modal Shift award at the 2026 UIC Sustainability Impact Awards for its “Love Regional Rail Travel” initiative, which encourages tourists to travel by rail rather than by car while supporting local communities and regional economies.
On 23 September 2026, during the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin, Yang Tae-hoon, Head of the KORAIL Research Institute, received the award on behalf of KORAIL.
Launched in August 2024, the initiative promotes rail by making local festivals, tourist attractions, and local transport services accessible by train and providing passengers with a 50 % discount. This programme required the cooperation of 40 governments and, according to KORAIL, was used by approximately 470,000 passengers by July 2026.
Holger Dalkmann, a member of the jury, highlighted how smart incentives, strong local partnerships, and a shift from car to rail can deliver climate, social and economic benefits in depopulating regions. Lucie Anderton, UIC Sustainability Director, also commented on the initiative in a YTN television report on the award (in Korean).
Kim Tae-seung, KORAIL President and CEO, who also serves as Chair of the UIC Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly (APRA), emphasised rail’s role in supporting regional economic recovery and the transition towards more sustainable transport. He added that KORAIL would continue to strengthen transport links between railway stations and local destinations to contribute to balanced regional development.
KORAIL’s work in rail tourism was also recognised in 2025, when Korean Train eXpress (KTX) Gwangmyeong Station won the award for the Large Station category at the UIC Rail Tourism (TopRail) Tourism-Friendly Awards.
Beyond sustainable tourism, another one of KORAIL’s projects was shortlisted for the 2026 UIC Sustainability Impact Awards, but this time for the Energy and Decarbonisation category: “Beyond mobility: orchestrating a net-zero future via railway energy symbiosis”. KORAIL also explored energy-efficiency practices used by European railways. A Korean television report on regenerative braking energy featured insights from François Davenne, UIC Director General, and Philippe Stefanos, UIC Senior Advisor for Sustainability, on the environmental and economic benefits of recovering and reusing this energy.
UIC would like to congratulate KORAIL for its successful initiative and encourages Asia-Pacific members to share best practices and participate in future UIC Awards to advance sustainable rail transport across the region.
