As the number of COVID-19 infections linked to the nightlife district in Seoul’s (이태원) Itaewon increases, the local tourism industry has refrozen after a short surge.
Hotels are observing endless reservation cancellations and restaurant owners are welcoming fewer guests.
Joseph Kim reports.

One day after the island’s last COVID-19 patient was released from a hospital, a new case, the 14th patient, was reported.
The local tourism industry is terrified.



The number of visitors to the island plunged in February and March due to the COVID-19 virus.
During the late April-early May holidays, the number rebounded and reached 60 percent of the same period of the previous year.


During the holiday, nearly 200,000 tourists visited the island. Recovery of the sluggish local tourism industry had been anticipated.


However, following the island’s confirmation of its 14th case of COVID-19, which was linked to the nightlife district in Seoul’s (이태원) Itaewon, one local hotel observed that more than 100 reservations were canceled.


A representative of the hotel says that the average number of cancellations had been 20 a day, but after the new infection case was confirmed, the number soared.

Representative of a local hotel:
Average number of cancellations is 20 a day
But 100 cancellations being recently observed



Restaurant owners had hoped that they would be able to welcome more guests after the late April holiday, but they are now struggling hard again.


As the number of COVID-19 infections linked to the nightlife district in (이태원) Itaewon increases, the local tourism industry is falling into depression.

Joseph Kim, KCTV