South Korea's tourism, soft power gains, at risk from extended political crisis

Heekyong Yang - Reuters - 12/12
From plastic surgery clinics to tour firms and hotel chains, South Korea's hospitality sector is wary of the potential impact of a protracted political crisis, as some overseas travellers cancel trips following last week's brief bout of martial law.
  • Prolonged political crisis a risk to tourism sector
  • Seoul mayor reassures safety amid tourist cancellations
  • Korean Wave's soft power jethreatened by instability
SEOUL, Dec 12 (Reuters) - From plastic surgery clinics to tour firms and hotel chains, South Korea's hospitality sector is wary of the potential impact of a protracted political crisis, as some overseas travellers cancel trips following last week's brief bout of martial law.
South Korea's travel and tourism industry, which generated 84.7 trillion won ($59.1 billion) in 2023, around 3.8% of GDP, has held up through previous bumps in the road, including a 2016 presidential impeachment and periodic tensions with North Korea.
But more than a dozen hospitality and administrative sources said the army's involvement in the latest political crisis was a serious development that could deter leisure and business travel, when the sector is approaching a full recovery in visitor numbers, which stood at 97% of pre-COVID levels as of October.
"There are concerns that safety issues in Seoul would throw cold water on the tourism industry," Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon said on Wednesday while meeting tourism industry officials to discuss a fall in travel demand.
"There is a growing number of examples of foreign tourists cancelling visits to Seoul and shortening their stays," Oh said, before declaring "Seoul is safe", in English, Chinese and Japanese to the media.
Daily life and tourist activities have continued as usual, despite ongoing large protests, since President Yoon Suk Yeol rescinded his six hours of martial law on Dec. 4 after parliament voted it down, with analysts noting that South Korea's inst...
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