China’s ban on group tours to Korea is having a devastating impact on the local economy. The province has come up with a plan to attract more visitors, a so-called Grand Sale, but not all local businesses are on board. Joseph Kim has more.



Report

Local tourism related businesses are beginning to feel the impact of China’s ban on travel to Korea.

[Slug]
Grand Sale deals begin in April

The province is planning to offer better deals at accommodations, tourist attractions, souvenir shops, golf courses and restaurants to lure more visitors.

INTERVIEW
Hong Yeong-gi / Dir., Provincial dept. of tourism policy
Accommodations, tourist attractions, souvenir shops, golf courses and restaurants will offer discounts of between 5 and 65 percent.
<인터뷰 : 홍영기/제주특별자치도 관광정책과장>
"관광숙박업이나 사설관광지, 기념품업, 골프장, 관광 식당 등에서 최저 5%에서 최고 65%까지 할인행사를 실시할 계획입니다."

But local businesses are highly skeptical of the plan’s success.

The province has notified that the whole island will offer discounts to tourists without consulting relevant businesses.

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Some business owners see Grand Sale as ‘grand burden’

Some local businesses cannot understand the province’s plans that would take place beginning next month.

The province doesn’t seem to have any better alternatives.

Business is not good as shops have far fewer guests and customers.

To make matters worse, the island’s Grand Sale would place a heavier burden on business owners.

INTERVIEW
Merchant
The province wants additional discounts, but it’s going to be tough. Business hasn’t been good since Chinese tourists stopped coming to Jeju. I’m not pleased with the province’s plan.
<인터뷰 : 상인>
"추가 세일을 해야 하는데 만만치 않아요. 사람을 유입할 수만 있다면 (좋죠.) 가뜩이나 중국인 관광객이 빠져나간 자리가 휑해서 그런데 대책이 와 닿지는 않죠."

Particularly, it’s unlikely that struggling businesses that used to deal with Chinese shoppers will be able to welcome more Korean tourists for the Grand Sale.

INTERVIEW
Accommodations owner
It’s difficult to give a discount of over 30 percent. Domestic tourists don’t come to my business, we only deal with Chinese visitors. So, even if more Koreans come to the island, it won’t help.
<인터뷰 : 숙박업체 관계자>
"30% 이상 세일한다는 것이 쉽지 않아요. 도움이 될 것으로는 안 봐요. 여기는 국내 관광객이 들어오는 곳이 아니에요. 중국 관광객 위주라서 국내 관광객 유치로는 미칠 영향이 없을 것 같아요. "

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Park Byeong-joon

China’s ban on travel to Korea has revealed the structure of local tourism businesses which is overly dependent on Chinese visitors.

The province is misreading the situation and its plan has failed to win sympathy from the public.

Joseph Kim, KCTV