SOUTH KOREA. Lotte Duty Free welcomed 130 travel agents and about 200 tour guides from China to its flagship store in Myeongdong for a briefing session to prepare for the expected surge of Chinese tourists in Korea in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The visits were made as the South Korean government announced plans to waive visa-processing fees for Chinese tourists through the end of the year as it continues to lure more visitors from its near neighbour.
As reported, China has lifted its ban on selling tour packages to South Korea after more than six years due to frayed relations that resulted from the government’s deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system.
The Chinese travel agency delegation arrived at Incheon Port on 5 September via the Xin Xiang Xue Lan passenger vessel from Yantai Port in Shandong Province.
The delegation included officials from more than 100 agencies, including the China Association of Travel Services and Strait International Travel Services. They were on a three-day familiarisation tour hosted by Four Seasons Tours travel agency.
Their tour included a trip to Ganghwado Island in Incheon, downtown Seoul and Imjingak Resort in Paju. On 6 September, they visited Lotte Duty Free in Myeongdong to check out its facilities and shop for duty free items.
China Association of Travel Services President Du Xianzhong said: “China’s outbound tourism industry is busy planning for travel packages to Korea and recruiting travellers. Korea has a good shopping infrastructure such as duty free shops and road shops.
“It is well equipped and has a wealth of content, including restaurants and things to see, making it one of the most popular travel destinations for Chinese travellers.”
Lotte Duty Free Head of Sales Namgung-pyo added: “China is approaching its Golden Week holiday, and as the government recently announced a plan to revitalise Chinese tourism to Korea and expanded incentives, we expect the number of Youkes [a reference to Chinese group tourists] to gradually increase.
“We will work with domestic travel agencies and guides to actively attract tourists and strive to provide a differentiated duty free shopping experience by expanding customer benefits.”
In preparation for the anticipated influx of Chinese tourists in South Korea, Lotte Duty Free held a briefing session at the Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul on 5 September.
This session sought to enhance cooperation between the retailer and the tourism industry to promote the benefits of duty free shopping to Chinese tourists.
Among the topics discussed at the session were retail and tourism infrastructure of Lotte Duty Free, Lotte Hotel and Lotte World.
Representatives from Lotte Duty Free partner brands – including Decorte, LG Household & Health Care, Whoo, Freshian and K Fashion brand Life Work – were also there to promote their products.
The event wrapped up with a film screening and a prize giveaway.
Lotte Duty Free noted that it plans to organise more events with travel agencies and tour guides. ✈
