[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Major luxury hotels have begun full-scale face-to-face events in the endemic era (periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases). Pool parties, which had been halted due to COVID-19, are resuming in earnest this year, and large-scale events such as corporate gatherings in the second half of the year are being booked one after another.
According to the hotel industry on the 10th, Paradise City will hold a pool party for the first time in three years since COVID-19 on the 22nd and 23rd of next month. The pool party, held at the outdoor swimming pool of Paradise City, is prepared with a different concept every year, and this year, resuming after three years, it will be held on a large scale in connection with nine famous clubs, lounges, and bars in Seoul. Paper, Tunnel, Shelter, Dirty Rose Club, Legacy, Skin, Snack, Bebl, and Daily Cheongdam will participate and perform.
L7 Hongdae will also hold a pool party on the 11th in collaboration with swimsuit brand Daysdays at the rooftop pool & bar floating. Banyan Tree Seoul and Seoul Dragon City will also offer packages including pool parties. Sofitel Ambassador Seoul will hold an in-person music festival on the 24th of this month at the hotel terrace and other locations. Inspired by the representative music festival 'F?te de la Musique,' held across France every June 21, the hotel will provide a time to enjoy food and drinks along with live music of various genres throughout the hotel.
Earlier, on the 14th and 15th of last month, nearly 2,000 attendees gathered at the Dionysos Wine Fair resumed by Mayfield Hotel Seoul after COVID-19. The hotel said, "Reservations for tables on the 14th were completed in one day, and the 15th was fully booked with a waiting list," adding, "There had been no events where people could enjoy wine and performances together outdoors due to COVID-19, so we received feedback that it was a great experience after a long time, resulting in high customer satisfaction."
Signs indicate that group and corporate events at major hotels are also gearing up. Some places have already fully booked reservations for the second half of this year. InterContinental has closed reservations for the 'Grand Ballroom,' where large-scale events with over 400 people will be held from September to December this year. Corporate events mainly take place on weekdays, and weddings on weekends. The number of overseas business guests staying in rooms is gradually increasing. The hotel stated, "In March, the ratio of domestic to foreign guests was 9 to 1, but last month, the foreign guest ratio increased to 6 to 4," and added, "We expect the atmosphere to improve further in the second half of the year." Chosun Hotel & Resort also said, "Since mid-April, the number of corporate events has increased significantly, and many events have been confirmed for the second half of the year. From mid-this month, there will be large-scale events attended by overseas arrivals," adding, "Many event organizers seem to be considering holding events while monitoring the situation after autumn."
The hotel industry expects the business conditions in the second half of the year to recover further as we have entered the endemic era and, since the 8th, the mandatory 7-day quarantine for overseas arrivals has been completely lifted, making visits by foreign travelers freer. With the resumption of regular direct flights between Jeju and Singapore from the 15th, about 100 Singaporean tourists are expected to visit the casino and other facilities at Jeju Dream Tower Complex Resort this month. Until now, Dream Tower Casino has mainly operated with limited services targeting foreigners residing in Korea.
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