SOUTH KOREA. Lotte Duty Free has welcomed 4,000 tourists from China to its flagship store in Myeong-dong, marking the first arrival of a large-scale group of Chinese visitors on an incentive travel programme since the pandemic.
The tour group included executives and employees of a Taiwanese cosmetics company, who arrived in South Korea yesterday on the Spectrum of the Seas, which departed from Shanghai.
Aside from Lotte Duty Free, the group visited top tourist attractions in the metropolitan area and Incheon, including Gyeonghuigung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and traditional markets. Passengers left South Korea after the day trip.
The travel retailer noted that the group spent approximately 70% on luxury items such as watches & jewellery from high-end boutiques, as well as imported cosmetics and food.
Most of the tourists in the group were in their 30s or 40s with high purchasing power, which is typical among those on an incentive travel scheme, the company noted.
In other news, Lotte Duty Free has collaborated with Incheon Tourism Organization to host the second edition of the 1883 Incheon Maekgang Party, a chicken and beer festival for foreigners to take place on 25 May.
The company aims to attract about 10,000 foreign tourists from various markets, including China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
A Lotte Duty Free official said: “It is very meaningful to welcome a large group of about 4,000 people in a situation where the speed of recovery after the pandemic has been slow. Lotte Duty Free will continue to work closely with travel agencies to promote the attraction of foreign tourists and provide differentiated products.” ✈
