Researchers propose customized premium program for big-spending Middle Eastern tourists

By Lim Chang-won Posted : September 14, 2017, 10:31 Updated : September 14, 2017, 10:31

[Visit Korea Committee]


Big-spending tourists from Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries visit South Korea mainly for business and professional activities, compared to rich Chinese tourists who spend more on leisure and shopping, according to a survey.

The survey, conducted by the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, found that top one percent VIP foreign tourists spent an average 16,690 US dollars each last year. No comparable figures were given.

The institute suggested South Korea's tourism industry should revise its strategy to attract rich foreign tourists with "customized premium and luxury" contents as 66.7 percent of those surveyed said they were "very satisfied" with their trips.

The survey showed that 22 percent of big-spending tourists came from Middle East countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran, followed by China's 17.2 percent. The United States stood third with 15.4 percent, followed by Malaysia's 10.6 percent.

Some 81 percent of the tourists from Middle East countries visited South Korea last year for business and professional activities, and 14.8 percent for medical treatment and beauty. Chinese tourists were interested mainly in vacation, leisure and shopping.

South Korea is trying hard to reduce its heavy dependence on Chinese tourists, diversify visitors and lure more Muslim tourists. The number of Muslim tourists coming to South Korea rose from 540,000 in 2012 to 750,000 in 2014 and 980,000 in 2016. This year, the government hopes to attract 1.2 million Muslim tourists.

Last year, Chinese tourists accounted for nearly half of 17 million foreigners who visited South Korea. Many Chinese travelers shun South Korea due to a travel ban imposed by Beijing in March in retaliation for the deployment of a US missile shield in South Korea.

The state-run Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) predicted that South Korea's tourism deficit would widen to a record 15 billion US dollars this year. The total number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea is expected to fall 27 percent on-year to 12.56 million.


 
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