Yeosu-si, 34% Decrease in Tourists During Peak Vacation Season

-Travel Psychology Contraction Due to High-Intensity Social Distancing

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] The number of tourists during the peak season in the last week of July, when summer vacation and holiday season overlap in Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, decreased by 34.1% compared to the previous year.

According to the city, about 220,000 tourists visited Yeosu City during the peak season in the last week of July, and the accommodation occupancy rate was 68.4%. Compared to the same period last year, the number of tourists decreased by 120,000 (34.1%), and the accommodation occupancy rate decreased by 3.3%.

This is in stark contrast to the end of June cumulative figures, which showed an increase of 130,000 people (3.3% recovery) compared to the previous year due to expanded vaccination and lowered social distancing levels.

The decrease is analyzed to be due to the rapid increase in infections in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, Yeosu City's operation of the ‘Emergency Movement Stop’ week, closure of Romantic Pocha (street food stalls), closure of benches at Jonghwa-dong Marine Park after 6 p.m., and closure of beaches, all of which are high-intensity quarantine measures.

The city plans to focus on actively promoting quarantine measures such as strengthening guidance and inspection of quarantine rules at major tourist sites during the remaining holiday season, and promoting non-face-to-face tourist destinations for the safe travel of citizens and visitors.

A city official said, “The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region decreased due to the active participation of citizens and tourism businesses during the ‘Emergency Movement Stop’ week,” but added, “The situation still requires vigilance. For safe travel, the tourism industry should thoroughly implement facility quarantine, and travelers should strictly follow personal quarantine rules.”

Meanwhile, Yeosu City continuously promotes compliance with quarantine rules for tourists through eight Yeosu Tourism Information SNS channels, and in collaboration with 13 departments, 65 workers are on duty daily to implement comprehensive tourism and quarantine measures.

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr