How to reconcile Jeju with Chinese tourists

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Lifestyle

Mon, October 2, 2023 | 14:38

Life

How to reconcile Jeju with Chinese tourists

Posted : 2015-05-29 16:52

Updated : 2015-05-29 19:06

Stephen Revere, second from right, CEO of 10 Magazine, speaks at the 5.4 Club meeting organized by the Corea Image Communications Institute (CICI) at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Thursday.
/ Korea Times photo by Kim Jae-heun

By Kim Jae-heun

Foreign and local CEOs from culture related businesses in Korea discussed ways to diversify attractions to boost tourism here at the Westin Chosun Hotel, Thursday, during a 5·4 Club meeting organized by the Corea Image Communications Institute (CICI).

The meeting dealt with cultural items and tourism services.

"I think Korea needs to start saying, ‘We like Jeju-do to be Jeju-do,'" said Stephen Revere, the CEO of 10 Magazine. "I hate to say it, but the ownership of Jeju-do is gradually transferring to many, many Chinese hands.

"I've talked to many people in hotels and tourist companies and they all said: ‘Our profit is going lower and lower, and there is no profit made now. We are just trying to fill the rooms, fill the seats and get the numbers.' This is not where Korea wants to go for the long-term," he said.

Didier Beltoise, president of the consulting firm Cs, agreed that Chinese tourists will not visit Jeju in 10 years time if it turns into a copy of other places in China. He pointed out the sharp rise in sales from the increased number of Chinese visitors is a bonanza, but only for a short period.

Some 850,000 Chinese have visited Jeju so far this year, or 85 percent of 1.35 million foreign tourists. The island enjoyed nearly a 20 percent increase in sales in the first quarter. However, in Seoul, Chinese tourist's spending per person in Lotte Department Store decreased 36 percent compared to two years ago. Lotte had been the main beneficiary of Chinese shoppers in the capital.

Beltoise also expressed frustration about the commercializing of Insa-dong, a popular Korean traditional town in downtown Seoul that is now filled with franchise restaurants.

"There is no more Insa-dong, like Champ-Elysees. Twenty years ago, you could stroll with your girlfriend or your wife on Champ-Elysees and have a great feel of experience. Now, you have to move between the tables, between the restaurants, between Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's. They are destroying the images of Champ-Elysees.

"Insa-dong is on the same way. You find more restaurants soon and cosmetic shops where traditional shops used to be. I am sorry to say, but this is totally wrong," Beltoise added.

Vanessa Williams, the director of business development at the Conrad Hotel, suggested Westerners traveling to Seoul want authentic experiences, not just shopping.

Williams has only been in Korea for seven weeks and a highlight was buying fabric in Namdaemun Market.

"My team told me the market was too big and no one speaks English there, and that I will get lost," said the director. "I just said, ‘Give me the address,' and went there with my husband on Saturday morning on a train. The place had the most amazing sewing experience I've ever had with the floor markets at backdoor street.

"It is all about off-the-beaten parts of the culture and the most authentic food that we want, not a shopping mall," Williams said.

jhkim@ktimes.com