Number of Chinese tourists hits all-time high

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Korea hit an all time high during the Chinese national holiday day last week.

The number of Chinese visitors to Korea reached 125,000 during the period, including China’s National Day, which fell on Oct.1, according to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). This is a 50 percent increase from the same period last year.

National Day celebrates the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese tourists coming to Korea during the period between Sept. 28 and Oct. 6 exceeded 10,000 per day. This is the first time the nation saw over 10,000 incoming Chinese tourists for nine consecutive days.

The record number is partly attributed to active promotion by the KTO. It held various events from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7 to attract Chinese tourists.

One travel event matched free independent Chinese tourists with local college students studying at Chinese language departments in universities to travel together. A total of 100 groups were matched.

The event was based on a first come, first serve principle and the registration was only available online through Chinese micro-blogging websites but was closed early because too many people submitted applications.

The tourism office also held a shopping festival in conjunction with Chinese card company Union Pay during the Chinese holiday period.

The festival included events such as an online contest about shopping in Korea and gift giveaways to those who buy items over 100,000 won with the card.

For 11 days since the opening of the event on Sept. 27, over 10,800 travelers participated. There were big buyers who spent over 40 million won during the festival period. <The Korea Times/Yun Suh-young>

news@theasian.asia