In June there will be 100,000 people by MERS outbreak canceled Korea Tour | travel | MERS_ news
M Le Yan
Epidemic never seems to be the poison of tourism.
Due to respiratory disorder in the Middle East (MERS) outbreak of visitors is being canceled planned Korea tour. As the summer travel peak approaches, as the only cases currently in Northeast Asia countries, Korea's tourism industry will be severely affected.
According to Yonhap, 9th the latest report, Korea MERS confirmed patients to 95 cases, deaths increased to 7. Ranked second in the number of patients in affected countries, second only to Saudi Arabia. In addition, Korea has for the first time under 20 people with MERS, a 16 year old high school student, symptoms are minor. As of 8th Korea MERS isolation increased to 2508 people, a total of 583 people have been released.
Has more than 20,000 people canceled Korea tour
According to the Korea Tourism Organization later revealed, MERS outbreak, cancel a number of foreign tourists to South Korea has more than 20,000 people.
Is responsible for the operation of a city, Korea travel agency said that under the influence of MERS, abolished in June of Chinese tourists to South Korea is estimated to reach 100,000 people.
Public reports that as of June 4, the cancellation of foreign tourists to South Korea over 20,600 people, representing an increase of 11,800 people 1 day before 74.6%. Korea Tourism Organization says 4th 1 day only, Cancel to Han Chinese tourists up to 4400 people, Chinese Taiwan tourists up to 2900 people, Japan tourist, 300 tourists in Southeast Asia who 1000 people.
The first financial daily reporter on June 8 from the tour operators and travel agencies was informed that about 10%~20% tourists visiting South Korea a League member or diverted to other destinations.
Face of the raging epidemic, Korea Foreign Ministry official said recently, Korea Government's special working group had been set up and start the MERS, against MERS outbreak negative impact on Korean domestic tourism development, national reputation.
Competitor Japan benefits
Although in terms of mortality, MERS higher-than-previous SARS virus ravaging Asian countries, but is not strong in epidemic intensity.
"In fact, Korea MERS is not quickly to spread from person to person, and Cheju and Pusan areas of basic security, especially on Jeju Island, which is an island, so it is relatively safe, some just back from Jeju Island visitors reflect the local fine tourists were safe. But not the tourists will still have psychological consequences. "Travelling with fake degree head said," so we announced on June 27, ctrip, Sapphire Princess ship changed course, stops along the port from Korea ' Busan-Jeju ' changed to Japan ' Okinawa '. Cruise port in Okinawa 16 hours, shore trips will reach unprecedented at least 10 hours. June-July is Okinawa's tourist season, so diverted product sales as well. ”
As cruise lines of the main Korea tours, many companies changed Japan, seemed to travel agent business has little impact in itself.
However, Korea MERS outbreak gave competitors--Japan a chance.
Samsung securities analyst JeonJong-kyu said as the summer travel season approaches, as Korea competitors in tourism, Japan is attracting more and more tourists because of the Yen's depreciation, coupled with the influence of MERS, is bound to Korea negatively affect tourism.
In the run-up to MERS, because the price is cheap, convenient visa and shop and cosmetic items such as developed, Korea's first tour as the outbound Chinese tourists destination, travel to Han, China has shown a growth in the number of. In 2014, the Chinese tourists visiting South Korea for the first time more than 6 million visitors. Among them, Chinese tourists visiting the capital of Seoul close to 500,000 visitors per month.
First financial daily