Home

The Korea Herald

Latest news

Most Popular

  1. 1

    Now is no time to add pressure on businesses: top executives

    Now is no time to add pressure on businesses: top executives
  2. 2

    CJ CheilJedang to spur overseas growth with new Hungary, US plants

    CJ CheilJedang to spur overseas growth with new Hungary, US plants
  3. 3

    Seoul to host winter festival from Dec. 13

    Seoul to host winter festival from Dec. 13
  4. 4

    Nationwide rail disruptions feared as union plans strike from Dec. 5

    Nationwide rail disruptions feared as union plans strike from Dec. 5
  5. 5

    Blackpink's solo journeys: Complementary paths, not competition

    Blackpink's solo journeys: Complementary paths, not competition
  1. 6

    N. Korea, Russia court softer image: From animal diplomacy to tourism

    N. Korea, Russia court softer image: From animal diplomacy to tourism
  2. 7

    Smugglers caught disguising 230 tons of Chinese black beans as diesel exhaust fluid

    Smugglers caught disguising 230 tons of Chinese black beans as diesel exhaust fluid
  3. 8

    [Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Jennie, Lisa invited to Coachella as solo acts

    [Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Jennie, Lisa invited to Coachella as solo acts
  4. 9

    Actor Song Joong-ki welcomes second child in Rome

    Actor Song Joong-ki welcomes second child in Rome
  5. 10

    Main opposition pushes to ease, not postpone, tax on crypto gains

    Main opposition pushes to ease, not postpone, tax on crypto gains
소아쌤

Seoul lacks mid-range accommodation

By 김보경

Published : Oct. 24, 2016 - 17:41

    • Link copied

Seoul is seeking more mid-range priced accommodation to counter the glut of overpriced and low-cost rooms, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported Monday.

According to the government report, the 23,164 mid-range rooms located in Seoul -- priced between 60,000 won and 200,000 won -- failed to cover the 32,567 requests this year. 

A photo of Shilla Stay in central Seoul (Yonhap) A photo of Shilla Stay in central Seoul (Yonhap)

In contrast, an extra 3,017 rooms priced over 200,000 won were still available. Hotels cheaper than 60,000 won per night had 5,714 more empty rooms to accommodate tourists.

The report said that such an imbalance has been causing inconveniences, calling for an increase in the number of mid-range priced rooms. It pointed out that visitors who fail to get mid-priced rooms, or can’t afford costly hotels in Seoul, choose instead to stay in suburb areas, resulting in long hours spent in transit. If they choose to stay central, they reluctantly stay at cheap, underserviced places that may leave a negative impression of the city, the report said.

If the status quo continues, Seoul may face setbacks in accommodating the target of 23 million visitors by 2020, the report added.

“The ministry will soon map out a plan to ease the imbalance in Seoul’s accommodation situation, so as to welcome more tourists to enjoy time here,” it said.

By Song Ji-won (jiwon.song@heraldcorp.com)

More from Headlines