Chinese holidaymakers all gather round in Korea

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, at least 45,000 Chinese travellers are expected to come to Korea during the biggest holiday season of ‘Lunar New Year’ beginning this weekend. It is estimated that 800 million Chinese people on average either visit their hometowns or travel abroad.

Chinese tourists have taken up the largest share of the Korean tourism sector over the past few years since China is the fastest-growing economy and interest in Korean culture continuously grows. According to the data by Lotte Department Store, the use of China UnionPay in Korea increased 108% last year while that of JCB(Japan Credit Bureau) increased 7%.

In a survey conducted by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2011, nearly 60% of those 300 major shopping centres and duty free shops of Korea answered, “Chinese holidaymakers have strong spending tendency that people from Japan, Europe and elsewhere.”

The Korea Tourism Office has launched special discount promotions for China’s Union Pay Credit card users. Those shoppers with the card in popular destinations such as Myeong-dong of Seoul and Jeju Island will receive special discounts and bonus points.

Lotte Department Store has run its first advertisements in China’s state-run news paper ‘People’s Daily’ on 17 January. In February, a Visit Korea Year ceremony is planned in Beijing and cultural performance and road shows in some 18 major Chinese cities are to be held.

This year celebrates the 20^th anniversary of the Sino-Korean diplomatic ties. Since 24 August 1992, the two countries have witnessed a remarkable increase in virtually everything including trade, investment, co-project and manpower. China is now Korea’s largest trading partner, accounting for a greater part of Korea’s export than the US and Japan combined.

Lee Miyoung-hiyoun EnjoyMiracle@theasian.asia