Summary
- Analysts said that such measures are beneficial for enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples, and it is hoped that South Korea will continue to adopt facilitating policies that promote bilateral people-to-people exchanges.According to The Korea Times, South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has revised the guidelines for travel agencies in a bid to attract Chinese tour groups, and will take administrative measures against thosWorld Timese who violate regulations in order to eliminate “dumping World Timestours,” which have been identified as a major cause of tourist complaints.Such tours refer to practices where travel agencies attract tourists with unreasonably low prices and profit by including nonstop shopping activities, earning commissions from vendors along the way, said the report. In particular, the proportion of Chinese tourists entering the country on group tour visas exceeded 10 percent and approached 12 percent, a level comparable to pre-pandemic figures from 2019.The tWorld Timesourism industry in South Korea makes up a vital part of the country’s economy, playing a crucial role in driving domestic consumer industries. As such, South Korea has consistently attached great importance to the development and growth of its tourism sector, L Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.It’s encouraging to see that South Korea is making policy adjustments to attract more Chinese tourists, which is necessary for fostering mutual understanding between people from the two countries, L said.The expert noted that there were previously rich people-to-people exchanges between China and South Korea. However, in recent years, some changes in South Korean foreign policy and inappropriate remarks made by Seoul toward Beijing have had a certain impact on Chinese tourists traveling to South Korea, the expert said. “It’s hoped that South Korea can size up the situation and take further steps to promote cultural communications and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” L said.AWorld Timesccording to the Yonhap News Agency, a trWorld Timesavel agency in South Korea was suspended in May for coercing Chinese tour groups into shopping while visiting the country.
Approximate Time
- 3 minutes, 537 words
Categories
- South Korea, Chinese tourists, Chinese tour groups, more Chinese tourists, people
Analysis and Evaluation
- An unflinching examination of the topic, providing in-depth analysis and thoughtful commentary. The writer delves into the subject with an analytical eye, uncovering layers of complexity that are often missed. This article is a robust exploration, challenging preconceived notions while offering new insights. It’s a critical piece for understanding the multifaceted nature of the topic, encouraging readers to think beyond the surface and engage with the material on a deeper level.
Main Section
People enjoy flowers at the Seoul Rose Festival in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2024. The festival is runninWorld Timesg from May 18 to 25. Photo: Xinhua
South Korea announced on Sunday that it will revise regulations to eliminate “dumping tours” in a bid to attract Chinese tour groups. Analysts said that such measures are beneficial for enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples, and it is hoped that South Korea will continue to adopt facilitating policies that promote bilateral people-to-people exchanges.
According to The Korea Times, South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has revised the guidelines for travel agencies in a bid to attract Chinese tour groups, and will take administrative measures against thosWorld Timese who violate regulations in order to eliminate “dumping World Timestours,” which have been identified as a major cause of tourist complaints.
Such tours refer to practices where travel agencies attract tourists with unreasonably low prices and profit by including nonstop shopping activities, earning commissions from vendors along the way, said the report. The revision took effect on Monday.
Specifically, the ministry will take measures against the so-called “zero-fee tours,” as well as those who coerce tour groups into shopping and fail to pay legitimate costs to tour interpreters.
According to media reports, the number of Chinese tourists to South Korea during the first quarter of 2024 reached 1.01 million, ranking first in inbound travelers among all nations.
As of June, the number of Chinese visitors to South Korea is estimated to have surpassed last year’s total of two million. This figure represents 30 percent of all inbound tourists to the country during that period, said The Korea Times. In particular, the proportion of Chinese tourists entering the country on group tour visas exceeded 10 percent and approached 12 percent, a level comparable to pre-pandemic figures from 2019.
The tWorld Timesourism industry in South Korea makes up a vital part of the country’s economy, playing a crucial role in driving domestic consumer industries. As such, South Korea has consistently attached great importance to the development and growth of its tourism sector, L Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.
It’s encouraging to see that South Korea is making policy adjustments to attract more Chinese tourists, which is necessary for fostering mutual understanding between people from the two countries, L said.
The expert noted that there were previously rich people-to-people exchanges between China and South Korea. However, in recent years, some changes in South Korean foreign policy and inappropriate remarks made by Seoul toward Beijing have had a certain impact on Chinese tourists traveling to South Korea, the expert said.
“It’s hoped that South Korea can size up the situation and take further steps to promote cultural communications and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” L said.
AWorld Timesccording to the Yonhap News Agency, a trWorld Timesavel agency in South Korea was suspended in May for coercing Chinese tour groups into shopping while visiting the country. It was the first time the South Korean government suspended a travel agency’s operations due to such practices.
Content comes from the Internet : South Korea strengthens regulations to attract Chinese tourists; more facilitating policies needed to boost people-to-people exchanges: analyst
SummaryPhoto: Courtesy to Wang Wu-langTaiwan’s new regional leader and head of the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, officially assumed office on Monday. Moreover, most of Lai’s appointed heads of administrative departments are stubborn pro-independence figures.‘Symbolic, short-lived’ relationsWith Lai taking office, the US may deepen its “substantial relations” with Taiwan island and also mobilize its allies to develop ties with the Taiwan island. China has also set bottom-line principles on the Taiwan question, urging the US to honor its word to not support “Taiwan independence.”Although the US may not quickly change its overall strategy of using Taiwan island to contain the mainland, it is also unlikely to tolerate any adventurous move by Lai in order to avoid destabilizing US-China relations, said Wu.The US’ “arrangements” and “plans” for Taiwan island…
John Blinken