'Top 3 Pool Party Spots' Hotels Face Cancellations
Some Regional Hotels Use Guest Attraction Methods
Small Pensions Operate Pool Parties Like Clubs
US Swimming Pool Infection Cases Reported
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] While luxury hotels in Seoul have collectively canceled their pool party schedules this year, some regional hotels are pushing ahead with pool parties as a means of attracting customers. Since young people, who are barred from going to clubs, are likely to seek alternatives, industry experts point out the need for heightened vigilance against the spread of COVID-19.
According to the industry on the 1st, Yeosu La Terrace Resort is holding adult-only pool parties on weekend nights under the 'No Kids Pool' policy. They are attracting guests with promotional phrases such as 'Adult-only No Kids Pool with DJ.' The Hidden Cliff Hotel & Nature, a 5-star hotel in Jeju Island, is operating a 'Glow Pool Party' with a DJ regularly at its first-floor infinity pool this year and includes it in 4 out of 7 room promotion packages for sale.
Secretly, pool parties are also being held in areas densely populated with small- to medium-sized privately owned pensions in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do. In fact, searching hashtags like #GapyeongPoolParty and #GapyeongClubPension on Instagram reveals over 1,000 posts. While alcohol sales are taking place, there are no additional safety measures such as mask-wearing except for temperature checks. Although the difficult situation due to COVID-19 makes it hard to miss the peak season, concerns about infection spread are increasing.
In contrast, the three major pool party hotspots?Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, and Grand Walkerhill Seoul?have decided not to hold pool parties this year. Yongsan Dragon City has also decided not to proceed with pool parties. Pool parties are a type of event held at outdoor swimming pools such as rooftops or indoor pools, and every summer peak season, they attract large crowds of young people in their 20s and 30s. Sometimes, these parties are held as collaboration concept events at the request of brands like vodka, whiskey, or duty-free shops, making them a valuable source of revenue for hotels. Nevertheless, luxury hotels have collectively given up on pool parties mainly due to concerns about mass infections amid the spread of COVID-19.
Demand for pool parties is also increasing ahead of the summer peak season in July and August. In fact, a search for 'pool party' on a major domestic online club community reveals several posts inquiring about the possibility of holding a pool party at Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul. From March 1 to July 1 this year, there have been about 40 posts related to pool parties.
Health experts still point out the risk of COVID-19 infection. In the U.S., there have been cases of infection at pool parties. During the Memorial Day weekend in May, a pool party held near Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri had an attendee who tested positive for COVID-19, leading to other attendees being monitored. The confirmed case visited several bars while enjoying the party and notably attended another party held at Osage Beach on the first day. The event sparked public outrage on social media after a local news anchor posted photos on Twitter.
Won Yong-nam, head of the Seoul branch of the Korea Disease Control Association, said, "Even though pool water is disinfected with chlorine, people breathe outside the water, not just inside, so the transmission risk of the virus to nearby people is high. Moreover, playing in the water causes shortness of breath, so if people are gathered in a crowded place, extra caution is necessary."
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