Recent Decline in Domestic and Foreign Guests at Top Korean Hotels
Sharp Drop in Foreign Visitors to Casinos
Hotels "Installing Thermal Cameras... Preparing Safety Measures"
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] "We had planned our first family trip right after the holidays to Jeju Island, but we canceled the trip itself due to concerns about the novel coronavirus infection. We wanted to enjoy a ho-cance (hotel + vacation) with our 15-month-old child, but thinking about tourists crowding inside the hotel made us very worried." (Kim Mi-yeon, 34, a housewife living in Gangseo-gu, Seoul)
As the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) spreads domestically, the number of people canceling hotel reservations is increasing. In particular, hotels in Jeju Island, Seoul city center, and near the airport in Incheon, which are popular among Chinese tourists, are seeing more people reluctant to stay due to perceived higher infection risks.
According to the related industry on the 29th, since around the 24th when Seollal (Lunar New Year) and the Chinese Spring Festival began, the number of foreign and domestic guests staying at domestic luxury hotels has been decreasing. At Hotel A in Incheon, the number of foreign customers at the foreigner-only casino during the Seollal holiday period dropped by 20-30%. At Hotel B in Songpa-gu, Seoul, 50 rooms reserved by Chinese tourists through inbound travel agencies were canceled during the same period. Hotel C in Jung-gu, Seoul, has seen a gradual increase in cancellations of hotel stays by Chinese customers since the domestic outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
On some mom cafes and other online communities, cases of canceled reservations at luxury hotels in Jeju are being posted one after another. Many netizens share reviews about how many Chinese tourists are staying at specific hotels or share ways to cancel hotel reservations without fees. A hotel industry official said, "The number of cancellations by local customers is minimal compared to cancellations by Chinese customers, but as the number of confirmed novel coronavirus infections increases and the situation becomes serious, we are carefully monitoring the trend." Another hotel official said, "Vacancies are increasing, but even if we run special promotions as usual, it seems difficult to fill reservations because more people are concerned about safety, so there is significant internal concern."
Many hotels have also taken safety measures to reassure guests. Shilla Hotel, following the Ministry of Health and Welfare's escalation of the crisis alert to the 'caution' level, has installed thermal cameras and placed hand sanitizers at the front desk and public restrooms. Masks are provided upon customer request. Lotte Hotel has established response guidelines for the novel coronavirus across all domestic and international chain hotels since the 24th and is actively responding. A Lotte Hotel official explained, "We have installed non-contact thermometers and thermal imaging cameras for continuous monitoring. Hand sanitizers are placed throughout, and frequently touched areas are disinfected regularly."
Paradise City Hotel has installed thermal detectors at the entrance and takes immediate isolation measures if abnormal signs are detected. Hand sanitizers and mask-wearing are mandatory throughout all business areas. The Plaza Hotel requests understanding from all Chinese guests and those scheduled to stay, checking their temperature and health precautions. A Plaza Hotel official said, "We have strengthened disinfection and hygiene for all staff and enhanced disinfection of all amenities and tools used in guest rooms."
Some hotels are waiving cancellation fees to enhance safety. Marriott is waiving cancellation fees for reservations at Marriott hotels in Korea for residents or companies from Wuhan, China, until the 8th of next month. The Plaza Hotel also waives cancellation fees for customers from China who wish to cancel their hotel stays until the 8th of next month.
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