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S Korea's travel industry smarting from sharp drop-off of Japanese visitors

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A sharp drop-off of Japanese visitors to South Korea is causing "screams of agony" to emanate from Korea's travel industry. In an article tinged with unmistakable schadenfreude, Yukan Fuji (July 8) reports that until March of last year, growth had been buoyed by the "Han-ryu boom" of TV dramas and other Korean popular culture, sending the number of Japanese visitors to an all-time high of 360,000 that month.

Since then, however, the territorial dispute over the island of Takeshima (called Dokdo in Korean) and other sources of friction threw a wet blanket on the relationship between the two neighbors, and since last September, the numbers of monthly visitors from Japan have posted successive year-on declines.

New South Korean President Park Geun-hye has not taken steps to reduce the confrontation, despite rising complaints from the nation's travel agencies, which are being forced to downsize and lay off their workers.

By April this year, the situation had become so dire that the 15,000-member Korean Association of Travel Agents (KATA), citing economic hardship, appealed to the government for financial assistance. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism made available 10 billion Korean won in emergency funds to keep ailing businesses from going under.

On June 25, the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry appealed to its Japanese counterpart to seek "restoration of normalization" of tourist exchanges. In September, leading members of Korea's travel industry plan to visit Japan for exchanges with local organizations in an attempt to patch things up.

A survey by Korea's quasi-official travel organization found that visitors from Japan declined year-on from last September. Visitors in April 2013 came to about 200,000, a year-on drop of 32.2%; and the 220,000 Japanese visitors in May represented a drop of 29.6%, down by about 100,000 people from the previous year.

The effects of the slump are not being felt solely by travel agencies; hotels in the Lotte Group posted an operating loss for the first quarter of 2013, and Silla Hotels also reported a major drop in revenues. Medium-size and small hotels are also said to be hurting.

A projection by Japan's JTB agency for the upcoming peak period this summer, which runs from July 15 to August 31, sees a 24.8% drop in travelers from Japan to South Korea, down from 343,000 in the same period in 2012. Bookings of packaged tours departing from Kansai International Airport are also down by from 20 to 30%, according to an Osaka-based travel agency.

A questionnaire survey conducted this past spring by the Abbey Road Research Center, operated by the Recruit publishing group, asked subjects which country would you like to visit in the future? Compared to 6th place in 2012, Korea this year had dropped to 18th. Seeing as how Korea had succeeded in achieving a respectable 6th place from 9th place in 2011, the drop this time was particularly conspicuous.

An executive at a travel agency explains the sharp drop in Korea's ranking as resulting from the decline in "enjoyment of leisure," a basic factor in stimulating consumer demand. If only from the obvious impression that "visiting a country with an anti-Japanese bias is not enjoyable," it's no exaggeration to say that the so-called "Han-ryu boom" may be nearing its end, as far as travel is concerned.

Korean Air President Chi Chang-hoon has acknowledged the problem, describing it as "a matter to be dealt with by the travel industries of both countries." But rather, asks Yukan Fuji rhetorically, isn't it Korea's vociferous anti-Japan posturing that ought to be dealt with?

© Japan Today

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121 Comments
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Japanese tourism to Hawaii is at an all time high.

25 ( +34 / -9 )

Smart of the Japanese consumer! Don't bother going to Korea or China. Don't waste your money on people who crap on your country. Go to Hawaii instead. My parents went to beautiful Hawaii, Kimokekahuna, and found that many, many people in business spoke Japanese and were very welcoming.

35 ( +50 / -15 )

Well, it's sad actually, but I also wouldn't go to a country where most people hate me, and this is what Japanese think, so their behaviour is natural. If their opinion is correct or wrong, who knows? Reading the news, it seems they are right. I believe Koreans and Chinese are doing the same, avoiding Japan, and choosing other places for their holidays.

24 ( +34 / -10 )

South Korea even if it will be in shambles will keep on blaming Japan for its woes. They will say that the Japanese government has prevented the Japanese in visiting their country and so must make an apology followed by a large sum of money. And then there will be riots, and then stories then movies on how the South Korean suffered because Japan made an economic embargo against South Korea and in the next decades will keep on asking apologies and money and apologies and money

31 ( +46 / -15 )

You made me LOL mikihouse! Thank you.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

The Japanese should grow up and not worry about visiting countries that hate them. After all, if only visiting countries that like you became the norm, there wouldn't be any British tourists anywhere. The Brits, however, don't care if the natives hate them as long as they can get English beer, milk tea and all day breakfasts.

-27 ( +11 / -37 )

If Korea were to cut down on all the Anti-Japanese protests and hate, maybe they wouldn't be in this condition. and why is it that many articles that I read, it seem Korean companies and American companies always blaming the Japanese for their economic woes. I don't remember when Japan's yen was strengthing they didn't blame it on their competitors.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

Hmm, Koreans protesting Japanese-made food goods in Europe because they have a likeness of Japanese flag (war-crimes flag, said the protesters), Koreans protesting against Japan before the Olympic committee, etc. etc. And now Korea's travel industry is making "screams of agony" because Japanese won't visit Korea. I suppose Koreans never heard "not to bite the hand that feeds you". They are learning about it now.

18 ( +28 / -10 )

Who wants to go to a country that is 100 times worse than Japan? I went and it sucked. They copy EVERYTHING from Japan. The japanese should visit better places than that hole. Germany, Sweden, Finland.... the list is infinite.

-2 ( +21 / -19 )

Korea would be a nice place if those folks would just start to behave like grown-ups. But their constant inferiority complex soon destroys their image all over again.

13 ( +24 / -11 )

Racism, hatred, and discrimination should have no place in today's society. So why not just go to Hawaii as millions and millions of people visit the paradise archipelago and make their dreams come true. It's not secret the local landscapes and beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. The local climate is excellent and bearable and their is the incredible Pacific culture. The Aloha spirit is what continues to brings people back to Hawaii making it so special and the attitude of friendly acceptance also makes the Hawaiian Island such a wonderful and pleasant place to chill out. It's definitely safe and a great place to go on a vacation especially the outer islands. It's also pretty cheap to visit during off season which is coincidentally the nicest time to visit with the exception of Japan's Golden Week.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

Sharp drop in the value of the Yen (about 30% drop vs Korean Won recently) is the biggest reason for the drop in numbers IMO.

I live in Australia and we've enjoyed 100-102 US cents for every Aussie dollar for some years. In the last 2 months it's dropped about 10% to 92 cents and I'm reconsidering my plans to visit USA. If the Aussie dollar dropped 30%, there is no way I'd visit the USA.

But yes, let's all ignore this and over-politicise the issue. At least it's a more enticing theory.

All you hear about Korea on JT is the political issues, which gives you a very selective view of the country. But the average Korean citizen (just like the average Japanese citizen) is only concerned about their jobs, houses, children etc.

Why do you think Uniqlo is so big in Korea, Japanese cars are status symbols admired by many, and there is a Family Mart store in every street corner?

0 ( +13 / -13 )

Hawaii is great besides the fact that it is about 8 times as far as Korea and about 10 times the price and the locals there can be just as racist as some Japanese or Koreans sometimes

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Ex-Korean President Lee's grandstanding is to blame for this. I hope the South Korean travel agencies visiting Japan are not going to demand an apology from JTB and H.I.S...lol.

Hawaii sounds like a good bet for Japanese holidaymakers, and Hong Kong is a safe place to visit, too. Lots of welcoming beauty parlours and fine restaurants and malls there. We were there in March this year for the umpteenth time. Never a problem for Japanese.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

I believe Koreans and Chinese are doing the same, avoiding Japan, and choosing other places for their holidays.

@ Alex80 - that is incorrect.

See this Wall St Journal article for a more balanced coverage of the same issue. http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/05/29/abenomics-skews-japan-korea-tourism/

I quote from the article -

Data from the Korea Tourism Organization shows that South Korean tourist numbers heading for Japan were up over 30% in each of the first three months of the year.

I believe to report these figures without mentioning the devaluing of the Yen is really not telling the whole story. The average public don't care about the politics anywhere near as much they care about their bank balances.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

Japanese people don't want to go to Korea? I wonder why?! My next vacation will be to Iran, I think. They really like Americans. Or maybe Venezuela.

4 ( +14 / -10 )

Japanese people don't want to go to Korea? I wonder why?

How about 30% drop in value of the Japanese Yen vs the Korean Won?

Around 30% drop in Japanese visitors to Korea, at the same time as around 30% rise in Korean visitors to Japan (see the WSJ link above I posted earlier).

And it must be the politics? Wake up people.

-7 ( +10 / -17 )

Canuck: "Smart of the Japanese consumer! Don't bother going to Korea or China. Don't waste your money on people who crap on your country. Go to Hawaii instead."

If all you want to do is blow heaps of money to stay in a hotel you can stay at down the street, go shopping at a DFS like you can in any airport, or hang out at the beach with all the other Japanese tourists, then go waste your time in Hawaii (not saying it's bad if all you want to do is hang out at the beach). If you want to learn a little bit of culture, eat some different foods, and experience a little growth then go somewhere else -- it doesn't have to be just SK or China, but a nation and place that's not a tourist trap and where you can learn something about the world and yourself.

And people, it's not JUST the non-issue about the Dokdo islands, but the deflated yen that is stifling travel, and not just to SK. Package tours to Hawaii and what have you are very often cheaper than even going next door to Taiwan or China, and are about half the price of going to Disney Land even IN Japan, especially over the holidays, so you're naturally going to see an increase in tourism to the cheaper places.

And stop with the hate, people, since it clearly goes both ways (your comments prove it). Most SKoreans I know, and I know many, don't hate Japanese people at all -- they hate the politics and the politicians that push it.

-4 ( +14 / -18 )

Agree with the latest postings. Its a bit boring to read about "hate of a people" when I think we all know or should now that every country consists of individuals. They dont think or feel the same. Not even when politicians or newspapers try to sell i like one opinion. Maybe some Japanese have gained a fear for going to S. Korea after the political troubles and maybe some of them has decided that it is time to save some money rather than travelling. Especially since the government seems to have cut salaries for lots of public servants.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Good glad to hear it. Could care less about going to Korea.

6 ( +15 / -9 )

I think it is not a matter of any political influence whatsoever! I think Korea is just plain boring! I listened to kpop and and watched korean movies and ate korean food but it never got into my mind to visit the country.

When I hear Korea, all I can think is dramas, kimchi, kpop, and gangnam style. That's it! Not so unique in anyway. In contrast, when you say Japan, you'll get a ton of nouns that describes the country. Ex. Samurai, ninja, sushi, geisha, Mt. Fuji, anime, manga, cosplay, sashimi, wasabi, etc. etc.

Korea has not put any good efforts to promote its real culture, instead they only think of pop culture and how they can get the world's attention with it, and they did't failed! Gangnam style did, but it is pop culture.

The Japanese might have gotten used to this pop crazed and now they've realized that the other parts of the world has more beautiful culture than korea's hallyu.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Mitch Cohen@ FYI, it is a matter of established practice that the catalog prices of Japanese group tours by major wholesalers are only set twice a year: In April, at the start of the fiscal year, and in October, as an adjustment for the second half of the FY. So the prices for the group tours from Japan to Korea would have been set in advance prior to October and not changed until April 2013, irrespective of any fluctuations in the yen-dollar or yen-won exchange rates. This means 1) any drop in visitors from Japan between October-December could not have been affected by the yen's drop, because it hadn't dropped yet; and 2) the cost of joining a group tour to Korea departing up to March 31, 2013 would not have changed since the rates had been fixed in advance, through prearranged negotiations between tour organizers, airlines, hotels, bus companies, etc. The only things that would have gone up in price would have been optional tours, or outlays for souvenirs, meals not included in the tour package, etc. So your argument that the drop-off of travelers to Korea was due to the exchange rates might have some validity from April of this year onward, but doesn't really explain the decline in the months prior to then. What's more, you chose to disregard the Recruit survey about the drop in Korea's ranking as the country travelers want to visit from 6th place in 2012 to 18th place this year. This survey reflects consumers' latent desire and the cost of going there is typically not a factor. (Usually the top choices are countries like Switzerland, France and Australia.)

0 ( +5 / -5 )

titaniumdioxide: "When I hear Korea, all I can think is dramas, kimchi, kpop, and gangnam style. That's it! Not so unique in anyway."

Well, some people like to experience things themselves rather than judge a whole culture based on the latest pop trends they've been subject to. Korean culture is quite unique, in fact I dare say more unique than Japan, which is even more Americanized.

"In contrast, when you say Japan, you'll get a ton of nouns that describes the country. Ex. Samurai, ninja, sushi, geisha, Mt. Fuji, anime, manga, cosplay, sashimi, wasabi, etc. etc."

How is that 'contrast'? Once again, you are bringing up the pop-culture and stereotypes you can hear/read about without ever setting foot anywhere.

"Korea has not put any good efforts to promote its real culture,"

As opposed to maid cafes, cosplay, 'geisha' (I can imagine how you picture them!), samurai, Mt. Fuji??

"The Japanese might have gotten used to this pop crazed and now they've realized that the other parts of the world has more beautiful culture than korea's hallyu."

So by your rational, the fact that they are flocking to places like Hawaii and not 'more beautiful places' like within Japan means Japan is not as beautiful as the places they are going: like Hawaii... or USJ or Disney Land in California, or shopping in New York, or a beach in Guam. There is nothing wrong with these places, but suggesting Korea has no unique culture to offer but the Duty Free Shop off the Waikiki Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel does is absurd.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

@smithinjapan

LoL, Those were just "My" examples. That is why I placed "EX" not for nothing! Either way, even if we get rid the entire POP culture idea on both nations and try to ask a random foreigner (who have not visited the two countries) and ask what can they say about Korea and Japan's culture, I think Korea will still be getting answers like KPOP and dramas LOL.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Mitch Cohen@ FYI, it is a matter of established practice that the catalog prices of Japanese group tours by major wholesalers are only set twice a year

That's an insightful post and honestly something I didn't know.

However, do young people really use group tours? I last visited Korea a year ago, and saw tonnes of young Japanese tourists in small groups.

30% drop in value of the Yen means each time you open your wallet you pay a whopping premium compared to before. This alone would be enough to keep me away from visiting a country overseas. I stay away from restaurants on public holidays due to a 10% surcharge. But 30%? No thanks.

I saw a similar article on NAVER, a popular Korean web portal. The most liked comment, with thousands of 'likes' was "here I come Japan". As I pointed out above there was an increase of 30% in Korean visitors to Japan, as everything got 30% cheaper.

I believe that over-politicising this issue and refusing to look at the weakened Yen as the cause (like the WSJ article has done) is an act driven by agenda.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

South Korea even if it will be in shambles will keep on blaming Japan for its woes. They will say that the Japanese government has prevented the Japanese in visiting their country and so must make an apology followed by a large sum of money. And then there will be riots, and then stories then movies on how the South Korean suffered because Japan made an economic embargo against South Korea and in the next decades will keep on asking apologies and money and apologies and money

I can just see the Koreans protesting: 'How dare those Japanese tourists stop coming to Korea!'

http://www.who-sucks.com/people/the-exciting-world-of-south-korean-protests

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

South Korea even if it will be in shambles will keep on blaming Japan for its woes. They will say that the Japanese government has prevented the Japanese in visiting their country and so must make an apology followed by a large sum of money. And then there will be riots, and then stories then movies on how the South Korean suffered because Japan made an economic embargo against South Korea and in the next decades will keep on asking apologies and money and apologies and money

Why so much hate?

Calls for Japan to apologise without denial of past history is not from Korea or China alone. The US Congress, European Union, Canadian Parliament, and the United Nations have all called for the same.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P6-RC-2007-0525&language=EN

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hres121/text

http://archive.alpha-canada.org/Motion291/m291.htm

http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/b6ad5f3990967f3e802566d600575fcb?Opendocument

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Neither country is my idea of a relaxing vacation. But I'm not much of a schlock shopper. And it takes all kinds to overfill this crazy world!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I saw a similar article on NAVER, a popular Korean web portal. The most liked comment, with thousands of 'likes' was "here I come Japan".

Sounds to me like a bunch of Korean travel agents were spamming NAVER to promote their flagging business. You don't really trust posts by anonymous bloggers do you? Or do you put out cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas eve as well?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Mitch Cohen

However, do young people really use group tours? I last visited Korea a year ago, and saw tonnes of young Japanese tourists in small groups.

Virtuoso is talking about pre-packaged tours not group tours. SK is losing it's appeal as a group tour destination as Okinawa and Kyushu is regain popularity. The currency exchange does have some impact but I assure you it is not the sole driving force since destinations like the US and or Europe is on the rise. My evaluation is that SK does not have a re-visit appeal like other destination and is quite easily lose interest with their first and/or second visit. In other words SK had not invested in developing their tourism resources like Japan in placing places like Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura, Nikko, Hokkaido ski, and/or other destinations on the map.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I've been to ROK several times. Boring ..... would be the kindest thing I could say. Given the current climate of hostility I can certainly see why Japanese are choosing to take their vacations elsewhere.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Sounds to me like a bunch of Korean travel agents were spamming NAVER to promote their flagging business.

Well if that's what it was then it worked, with a whopping 30% increase in Korean visitors to Japan.

I do believe facts go a long way in dicussions, and the following make for some interesting reading.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Japan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_South_Korea

A couple of things I was genuinely surprised by:

1) Koreans visitors to Japan made up 24% of foreign visitors to Japan in 2012, the largest source of international visitors to Japan, surpassing Taiwan at 17%. SK visitors made up 27% of internatinal visitors in 2010. A poster above said Japan was 'the hand that feeds Korea', but it seems to go both ways.

2) SK had 11.1m international visitors in 2012, compared to Japan's 8.3m. Without ever having seen the figures, I had assumed Japan would easily draw 4-5x more international visitors, being the premier travel destination in Asia for most people. I guessed 2012 would've been a disastrous year given the earthquake/Fukushima, but it was up from 6.2m in 2011. Make of that what you will http://www.tourism.jp/en/statistics/inbound/

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

For what it's worth, I've enjoyed my visits to Korea, especially Cheju Island where I would like to return someday. Even when the exchange rates are not so favorable to the Japanese yen, I felt the shopping and food in Korea gives good value for money (big portions and lots of free side dishes). I remember how astonished I was at the low taxi fare from the old airport (at Kimpo) to the center of the city. The country is foreign enough to pique Japanese curiosity. I can't think of any reason why the two countries can't enjoy friendly relations. Look at Germany and Poland today. And they are only separated by a river, not an ocean.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

I've been to ROK several times. Boring ..... would be the kindest thing I could say. Given the current climate of hostility I can certainly see why Japanese are choosing to take their vacations elsewhere.

And yet, despite all the headlines that dominate the media, Japanese people can walk through the streets of Seoul and not at all feel any kind of hostility.

Is it because people don't know they are Japanese? Well imagine what happens to you if you wave the 'rising sun flag' in the streets of Seoul. The answer? Nothing, as you can see here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f87trjMI8gs

This article fails to address the simple economic phenomenon, where if country A's (Japan) currency weakens significantly against country B (Korea), you can expect a decrease in tourism from A to B, and an increase in tourism from B to A, which is exactly what we've seen.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Koreans visitors to Japan made up 24% of foreign visitors to Japan in 2012, the largest source of international visitors to Japan, surpassing Taiwan at 17%.

Whoa! Did you know that of that figure, 930,000 or about 45% of those "foreign visitors" were ferry passengers from Pusan, most of who went no farther into "Japan" than Tsushima Island in Nagasaki, and never even set foot on the Japanese mainland? Smaller numbers took ships to Hakata and Shimonoseki. This Sankei article has the figures.

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/130527/biz13052713440002-n1.htm

Deduct the ferry passengers -- who are really shopper-commuters, not tourists -- from the total and Korea drops to 3rd place after China and Taiwan.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The fishery cooperative of Tsushima are certainly against the professional anglers that disguise themselves as tourist and poach their waters. There are various strict regulations that the Koreans are not following and millions in damage done due to their actions.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

gee, maybe Koreans need to rethink the global anti-Japan propaganda offensive they are engaging in.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

@Philsandoz

After all, if only visiting countries that like you became the norm, there wouldn't be any British tourists anywhere. The Brits, however, don't care if the natives hate them as long as they can get English beer, milk tea and all day breakfasts.

For your information, the Americans are disliked more than the British... and remember not all 'Brits' are English.

Back to the story, and I'm not surprised that the Japanese are avoiding SK... Why would you want to go to a country where the people want your naval flag removed from shops in other countries, where they plot to prevent your country from being selected for the Olympics... and where they repeatedly cast doubt on the sincerity of your country's repeated apologies for a war that ended nearly 70 years ago... or 2 or 3 generations.

The Japanese people should come to Scotland instead... great weather this year ^_^

2 ( +8 / -6 )

"Screams of Agony"??? Oh come on... Japanese media at it again, once again printing false stories on Korea, after they posted another one regarding a Japanese actress falsely claiming Korea was stealing her name illegally.

Japanese tourists have dropped off for sure, but the Chinese and South East Asian tourists have skyrocketed by 35% and growing, more than enough to offset the decrease in Japanese tours.

Sorry, Japan, but there are no "crisis" in Korea other then in the imaginations of Japanese papers. Amusing.

-11 ( +6 / -17 )

Japanese tourists have dropped off for sure, but the Chinese and South East Asian tourists have skyrocketed by 35% and growing, more than enough to offset the decrease in Japanese tours.

Nope. It's struggling.

http://japanese.joins.com/article/573/171573.html

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Is the problem anti-Japanese sentiment or are people finally realizing that South Korea is a pretty mediocre vacation destination?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Nigelboy, aren't you the same person who predicted S.Korea will financially collapse after Japan stops the currency swap? That was an epic failure.

Anyway, that article is emphasizing that more Koreans spending more abroad, increasing the Korea's travel deficit. That's due to the value of the Korean currency going up, therefore more Koreans visiting Japan, as the article says. Nowhere does it say "screams of agony"... oh my god, that's funny Japanese anti-Korean journalism at its finest. lol.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

Nigelboy, aren't you the same person who predicted S.Korea will financially collapse after Japan stops the currency swap? That was an epic failure.

Nope. But it appears Korea's banks are under IMF stress test for their massive household debts.

So I guess this is false then.

"By April this year, the situation had become so dire that the 15,000-member Korean Association of Travel Agents (KATA), citing economic hardship, appealed to the government for financial assistance. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism made available 10 billion Korean won in emergency funds to keep ailing businesses from going under."

0 ( +8 / -8 )

The number of Japanese tours to Korea is back to what it was in 2007, before the big Japanese rush. The article you linked to says that travel deficit is $200 million, the worst deficit in 7 quarters - or dating back to 2011, due to more Koreans traveling to Japan. So put everything in perspective, yes, Japanese tours have dropped off, but it's far from being dire straights, as Japanese desperately wishes to be. Short end is, Japan has zero investments in Korea. Japan doesn't buy anything from Korea. There's not much for Korea to lose anything from Japan. But I know Japan has a lot to lose from Korea. Korea buys a crap load of goods, is the biggest tourists to Japan, and yet there are anti-Korean riots everyday in streets of Tokyo. Who's really hating on who?

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

RIght Nigel. Aren't you Japanese American? How do you know what's going on in Korea right now? By reading right wing Japanese media and 2ch + other Japanese internet sources, and their fantasies cooked up? Uh.... come on.

Wrong on all counts. What is your obsession with 2ch? This is rich coming from a person that runs this garbage site. You kyopos seriously have some complexity issues.

http://koreansentry.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=2b5767ed1347e041eb1a3b8089e25eea

And you didn't answer the question.

"By April this year, the situation had become so dire that the 15,000-member Korean Association of Travel Agents (KATA), citing economic hardship, appealed to the government for financial assistance. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism made available 10 billion Korean won in emergency funds to keep ailing businesses from going under."

Is the above false? Yes or no.

6 ( +13 / -8 )

nigelboy, to answer your question, I it's false reporting from Japanese media I would say, since I have not read anything of that nature anywhere in the Korean media. Even if the report is true, those who are KATA appealing for help are probably the ones who operate their tours for the Japan market. If true, well then they better get used to it, and maybe they should look elsewhere to get their tourists.

I would trust more on this report which says the Japanese are down, but the Chinese and others has made up more than enough for the loss of Japanese. How can there be a crisis when the number of Chinese increased by far more than the number of Japanese who have decreased? That doesn't make any sense. And the fact Chinese are the biggest spenders, far more spender than the Japanese who are last in spending?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100749741

Ronald Man, economist at HSBC, said the increase in Chinese tourists has more than offset the decline in Japanese visitors so far this year.

"China may become the largest source of tourists in Korea over the medium-term," Man said.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

would trust more on this report which says the Japanese are down, but the Chinese and others has made up more than enough for the loss of Japanese. How can there be a crisis when the number of Chinese increased by far more than the number of Japanese who have decreased? That doesn't make any sense. And the fact Chinese are the biggest spenders, far more spender than the Japanese who are last in spending?

How does that explain the reduction in foreign tourists spending which is down 3.8% from the same time last year? Must be really tough "praising" the Chinese for I know this is something you will never do in your own kyopo filled site that you run. You'd be branded as a "traitor!!!".

So Chucky. Go ahead and be friends with Chinese for centuries old habit simply cannot and will not die.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

I have traveled both in Japan and Korea, and here's my two cents.

While in Korea, I didn't see any overt anti-Japanese hatred in Korea that is often hyped up in Japanese media which right now are in an anti Korean mode. But I did see a whole slew of Japanese tourists who were rather enjoying their time. The entire strips of Seoul streets were teeming with Japanese tourists when I was there - I couldn't even tell I was in Korea or Japan with so many Japanese speaking Japanese. That was in November 2011. But then when I visited Japan, January of this year. What did I see? Anti-Korean hatred demonstration marches in Tokyo with all the obscene racist signs and banners.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

But then when I visited Japan, January of this year. What did I see? Anti-Korean hatred demonstration marches in Tokyo with all the obscene racist signs and banners

Didn't know ShinOkubo was a foreign tourist destination unless you're a ......

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Nigel, even if that's true, 3.8% reduction in tourist spending from last year does not make it a "screams of agony". That's same as a false report by the Japanese media. Don't you agree? How do you explain that sensationalism that looks like Japan's wishful thinking? Don't forget, we're still in July, five more months to go, the tourism could still turn around and regain that 3.8% drop in spending, if Korean government's plan to lower the Korean currency works.

By the way, S.Korea is headed for another record year in tourist arrivals, passing the 11.5 million for the year, which is far more than Japan, a country that's far bigger than Korea. Japan should worry more about its own tourism industry, or lack there of, instead of worrying about others. Thanks for your concerns though, and Japan should be thankful for Korean tourists to Japan, who have offset the decrease in Chinese tours to Japan.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

By the way, S.Korea is headed for another record year in tourist arrivals, passing the 11.5 million for the year, which is far more than Japan, a country that's far bigger than Korea.

Which makes me wonder how much of that is real 'tourism' and how the stats are conducted in both countries. It seems like it has more to do with foreign work power growing right now in South Korea more than anything else.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Nigel, even if that's true, 3.8% reduction in tourist spending from last year does not make it a "screams of agony". That's same as a false report by the Japanese media. Don't you agree? How do you explain that sensationalism that looks like Japan's wishful thinking? Don't forget, we're still in July, five more months to go, the tourism could still turn around and regain that 3.8% drop in spending, if Korean government's plan to lower the Korean currency works

Chucky. I was replying to your assertion that "China and others has made up more than enough" which based on those figures are false. Those "screaming of agony" are those who requested financial assistance from the government. Read the article.

By the way, S.Korea is headed for another record year in tourist arrivals, passing the 11.5 million for the year, which is far more than Japan, a country that's far bigger than Korea. Japan should worry more about its own tourism industry, or lack there of, instead of worrying about others. Thanks for your concerns though, and Japan should be thankful for Korean tourists to Japan, who have offset the decrease in Chinese tours to Japan.

Congrats. Make sure you win and dine those Chinese.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

@Mitch Cohen: Also according to this source the main cause are the tensions between the two countries:

http://www.tourism-review.com/travel-tourism-magazine-south-korean-tourism-drops-due-to-political-tensions--article2130 Both the weakest yen and the tensions are a factor for sure, but which is the most important? It's not easy to say. About the increase of Korean visitors in Japan, probably they are taking advantage of the stronger won, but I guess most of Koreans prefer other places for their holidays.

When your country organizes stuff like this, how can you think most Koreans don't care about political tensions? http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/07/261_139223.html Both in Japan and South Korea, poor people are oppressed by propaganda every day...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Papi2013 Jul. 16, 2013 - 01:53AM JST I have traveled both in Japan and Korea, and here's my two cents. While in Korea, I didn't see any overt anti-Japanese hatred in Korea that is often hyped up in Japanese media which right now are in an anti Korean mode. But I did see a whole slew of Japanese tourists who were rather enjoying their time.

If these Japanese visit South Korea during the current goverment disputes, they are more concerned about what others say when they get back to Japan and have hard time making their own decisions if opinion goes against the grain. Japanese tends to shift their opinion to the majority view with shared opinions and most Japanese cannot look at South Korea issue objectively. The group opinion in Japan will change individual perceptions of what they saw. One reason behind conformity is that, going against the group is not beneficial for survival in Japan. The results of conformity is reflections of Japanese people's reliance on one another for knowledge of the world, so of course it will distort how they view South Korea and other countries in a negative way.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Alex80 - I see you have not retracted your earlier statement saying Koreans were also avoiding Japan as a travel destination.

gee, maybe Koreans need to rethink the global anti-Japan propaganda offensive they are engaging in.

I see an overwhelming negativity towards Korea from the Japanese or even Japan-based expatriates. Selective reporting by the media is an issue, with many stories that are aimed to provoke a reaction. Most Korea-related stories are not balanced, or responsible journalism.

For example, I recall a report saying private donations from Korea for Japan's earthquake relief fund did not make the top 20, ignoring the fact that private donations were lumped together by Korea Red Cross and donated to Japan Red Cross, and that Korea was the 5th largest giver of foreign aid to Japan. How do I know? I contacted Korea Red Cross directly because I could not believe what I was reading, given the huge drive for donations that ran for months that I witnessed in Korea. I was there in July last year and it was still going.

I'm the first to admit it goes both ways (it always does), because inflammatory remarks by the Abe/Ishihara/Hashimoto trio make headlines in Korea, and the anti-Korea protests in Tokyo are well publicised. A story about a Japanese politician trying to ban the protests being targeted by the protesters was reported today.

Sure there are Korean groups writing to IOC to undermine Japan's Olympics bid, and Koreans promoting sovereignty over Dokdo, just like there are Japanese who march through Korean districts in Tokyo, and Japanese who sign over 30,000 signatures calling for US Congress to repeal their 2007 statement on the 'comfort women'.

I do notice a trend that when Koreans behave badly the whole country is criticised by many, and when Japanese behave badly people criticise those minorities only.

You could easily spend a week or two in Korea without hearing about Japan at all. As I keep saying, the vast majority of Koreans only care about their jobs, houses, families, their next holiday etc. Just like the vast majority of people in any country.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Yeap, just as I thought. After verifying this false misleading story, I find that the letter for request for government help was done by group of agents who are actively promoting tours to Korea in Japanese market. They wanted government help to help financing the "promotional activities to attract Japanese tourists". This was done on April of this year, when North Korea threatened South Korea with war, and as all tourists were afraid of something happening in the Korean peninsula. Of course, with the drop in tourism from Japan, those Korean agencies who are active in Japan are going to be hurt, so they want to step up the PR campaign in Japan to get more tourists to come to Korea. I'm sorry, but they don't represent the entire Korean tourism industry, so either they try harder or give up in Japan and look elsewhere. But this is far different from what the Japanese media are trying to paint as - as if there's a total crisis in Korean tourism because Japanese are staying away. Well, sorry to disappoint, but Korea's tourism numbers are holding steady and up, despite the 25-30% in Japanese tourist decrease, thanks to increased arrivals from other areas.

Japanese media is using the April story when the North Korea crisis was high in the air. Laughable, the Japanese media, with their usual shrills. Here's the April 23 rd story.

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20130423-417832.html

Japanese media once again, printing negative stories on Korea without factual evidence other then made up information.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Japanese media once again, printing negative stories on Korea without factual evidence other then made up information.

I think this "Kuchikomi" feature stories are particularly biased. Irresponsible, biased reporting with the aim of flaming tensions between the 2 countries.

I mean, just look at the stories it has published. Sadly, this comment will get deleted.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/kuchikomi

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Yeap, just as I thought. After verifying this false misleading story, I find that the letter for request for government help was done by group of agents who are actively promoting tours to Korea in Japanese market. They wanted government help to help financing the "promotional activities to attract Japanese tourists".

Same thing isn't it? Even this article states it was done in April so they were in no doubt fearful of their unfilled tour/airline bookings as "Golden Week" was approaching.

Then you have the JTB projection of this summer's projection of 20 to 30 percentile decline so it's continuing.

And then you have Korean Chamber of Commerce appealing to their own people to spend their vacation/money at home due to decrease in Japanese tourist.

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/07/15/2013071500484.html

Chucky. Perhaps you should tell these guys that everything is OK because the Chinese are coming!!!

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Nigel, those are spring numbers when ALL foreign visitors to South Korea decreased due to tensions with North Korea. And it is not the same thing. The Japanese media is deliberately printing misleading stories, saying there's "screams of agony" in Korean tourism industry, when it's only those people who are marketing in Japan. As the travel agencies active in Japan goes, they will in time adjust. Even with 35% decrease in Japanese arrivals, that's still similar to the number of arrivals in 2007. You have to realize, Japanese arrivals to Korea skyrocketed from 2008 to 2010 by over 35%. So we're just back to square one, that's all.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

It's interesting how 'journalists' can put a spin on a story.

Read the coverage by WSJ on the exact same data, and see what difference objective and responsible reporting makes.

http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/05/29/abenomics-skews-japan-korea-tourism/

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Correct, Mitch. As I've said, it's strictly those companies that are operating in Japan, who's in trouble as the article says...

“Tourist businesses exclusively handling in-bound Japanese tourists have reached breaking point, with 99 out of 100 tour agencies enforcing unpaid leave or a paycut for their employees,” said Kim Soo-yong, a manager of Hanjin Travel in Seoul.

Can we all please read that again? Altogether now... "tourist businesses exclusively handling in-bound Japanese tourists"...

However, to put this into overall perspective, bad relations with Japan has had zero effect on Korea. South Korean economy this year is expected to post the all time record of account surplus of $60 billion, despite the feared Abenomics, according to Financial Times.

http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/06/27/s-korea-economy-looking-up/#axzz2XixoJNvX

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Sure, show somebody you hate them then complain that they don't come and visit you, lol. Korea sure is a strange country.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Can we all please read that again? Altogether now... "tourist businesses exclusively handling in-bound Japanese tourists"...

Does it still change the fact that the trend resulted in unpaid leave and pay cut within the industry? Does it still change the fact that the Korean Chamber of Commerce is pleading the locals to stay home on vacations due to decline in Japanese tourists as indicated chosunonline article I linked. Whatever happened to the Chinese tourists who you claim more than offset the decline?

4 ( +9 / -5 )

@@Alex80 - I see you have not retracted your earlier statement saying Koreans were also avoiding Japan as a travel destination.

After I read your article, I expressed this point of view:

About the increase of Korean visitors in Japan, probably they are taking advantage of the stronger won, but I guess most of Koreans prefer other places for their holidays.

I think is legit.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Old wounds ... never heal. Hilarious.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As I have pointed out already, you're looking at April spring numbers when ALL tourists from ALL countries were staying from Korea. Plus "unpaid leave and pay cuts" for the Korean tour operators in Japan, is far from what the Japanese press are describing the Korean tourism as "screaming in agony". .. lol.. right. Here are the tourist arrivals for South Korea, from June 2013. As you can see, just about the only decrease are from Japan, while most other countries increased.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-15/south-korea-s-june-visitor-arrivals-by-country-table-.html

Maybe the Japanese can't afford Korea.

Does it still change the fact that the trend resulted in unpaid leave and pay cut within the industry? Does it still change the fact that the Korean Chamber of Commerce is pleading the locals to stay home on vacations due to decline in Japanese tourists as indicated chosunonline article I linked. Whatever happened to the Chinese tourists who you claim more than offset the decline?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

As I have pointed out already, you're looking at April spring numbers when ALL tourists from ALL countries were staying from Korea. Plus "unpaid leave and pay cuts" for the Korean tour operators in Japan, is far from what the Japanese press are describing the Korean tourism as "screaming in agony". .. lol.. right. Here are the tourist arrivals for South Korea, from June 2013. As you can see, just about the only decrease are from Japan, while most other countries increased.

That's what the article is stating. Decline in Japanese tourists that appears to continue further cried by the Korean Chamber of Commerce. I suspect these Korean industry rep will visit Japan some time around a month or two to ask the Japanese to help reverse this trend.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Nigel, you mean the Korean rep will visit Japan and sing the national anthem, like the Japanese rep who came to Korea last year, singing the Korean national anthem to drum up Korean tourism to Japan after it declined?

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2012/01/113_103136.html

Frankly, I don't understand why any Korean would be crazy enough to go over and risk themselves to radiation exposure while being screamed at, and told to get out of Japan, but I guess even those reasons are not powerful enough reasons, compared to cheap $300 three day tours to Japan.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

@chucky3176: you shouldn't make fun of the nuclear disaster, specially if you consider that your country has nuclear reactors as well. Do you think you are safe?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Frankly, I don't understand why any Korean would be crazy enough to go over and risk themselves to radiation exposure while being screamed at, and told to get out of Japan, but I guess even those reasons are not powerful enough reasons, compared to cheap $300 three day tours to Japan.

You tell me. Koreans are a top among overstayers in Japan. Must be really crappy to live there.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Sure, show somebody you hate them then complain that they don't come and visit you, lol. Korea sure is a strange country.

Get over yourself. Nobody is 'complaining'. Korean tourism businesses who cater specifically for the Japanese clients is struggling for business.

Your efforts to twist everything into an attack on Korea says a lot..

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Sorry Chuck. The record goes to $88 dollars for three nights in Seoul.

http://www.travel.co.jp/it/T266112318/SRM00/NRT3YYYY1795986/

2 ( +7 / -4 )

Sorry Nigel, I doubt you can get $88 for one night in Seoul hotel, let alone three nights. Even $88, that's a lot of money for Japanese whose purchasing power has gone down since Abe took over with his plans. But the Japanese women sure love coming over, doesn't matter what the exchange rate or political troubles. I don't think Korean guys mind at all.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Sorry Nigel, I doubt you can get $88 for one night in Seoul hotel, let alone three nights. Even $88, that's a lot of money for Japanese whose purchasing power has gone down since Abe took over with his plans. But the Japanese women sure love coming over, doesn't matter what the exchange rate or political troubles. I don't think Korean guys mind at all.

Nope. 8800 yen for an overseas travel us cheap. Couldn't do that within Japan. I guess desperate times calls for desperate measures. And yes. Obasans loves coming to Korea.

4 ( +9 / -4 )

@chucky3176: you shouldn't make fun of the nuclear disaster, specially if you consider that your country has nuclear reactors as well. Do you think you are safe?

Or worse, have a northern neighbor that can blow up your country to kingdom come in a blink of an eye. Imagine, your own flesh and blood next door with missiles pointed at you. Alas, the tragedy of being a divided country.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I think this "Kuchikomi" feature stories are particularly biased. Irresponsible, biased reporting with the aim of flaming tensions between the 2 countries.

When you don't like the news@Mitch Cohen, then kill the messenger, right? Didn't it occur to you that things are going on in the Japanese vernacular media that outsiders would be blissfully unaware of unless a small number of columns (including this one) brought them to readers' attention?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The rabid troll fea625 is off his meds again. time to call the men in white coats!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I would also agree the yen seems to be the bigger issue, as many Japanese women often go to Korea mainly for shopping for beauty products, etc. And some have told me first-hand it is no longer cheap enough to warrant the trip.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Ms. Honda, a Japanese model who loves korea, has gone many times, and can speak korean experienced the following during her recent trip to korea

友人の母も出会って20分で「独島は私達のものだから!」と主張。マッサージ店でも本田さんが韓国語を分からないと思った店員が、韓国語でさまざまな悪口を言っていたとのこと。さらにひどいのは音楽フェスティバルで「くそ猿野郎」と暴言を吐かれたり、ここでも「独島は我が国の領土」とわざわざ聞こえるように言われたとのこと。

http://rocketnews24.com/2012/08/29/244254/

For those of you who can't read Japanese, staff were bad mouthing her at the massage parlor in korean, thinking she didn't understand. At a music festival, random people called her a (expletive) monkey or claimed that dokudo is korea's. There's more for people who want to read it. It's a painful read and you can't help but feel sorry for her.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

I don't feel save going there again. I think Hawaii is a good place!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@bicultural and @kickboard Thanks for the links. It pretty much confirms what I've known all along. It's not surprising that they act that way, though, considering how massive their inferiority complex is combined with an underdeveloped culture despite their economic growth within the last decade. That's why globally nobody respects and takes Korea and her people seriously, despite all the desperate efforts of self-promotion by the Vankers and online pro-Korean propagandists to be acknowledged and respected. After the gloss and sheen of the so-called 'Korean wave' has worn out, the real Korean culture comes out for everyone to see.

0 ( +6 / -5 )

chucky3176Jul. 16, 2013 - 12:39AM JST

Nigelboy, aren't you the same person who predicted S.Korea will financially collapse after Japan stops the currency swap? That was an epic failure.

No matter your wishful thinking, the South Korean economy is in serious trouble.

0 ( +3 / -2 )

Crackdown on p4p over there maybe?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yes, Hawaii is beautiful. Japanese should visit more often. And its very friendly to Japanese and all others.

After Hawaii, maybe stopover to SF, LA or Vegas for several days of fun. Why go to Korea or China when you can come to US? Those guys don't like you over there. We like you just fine.

I've been to SK many times, other than shopping, food and those cheesy historical sites that I think its nothing close to what Japan has, and light years away from what China has. Its really not that fun.

For Japan, I enjoy Tohoku the most. And the pre-Tsunami Sendai, its was just a lovely place. Noboribetsu is great for a long weekend stay as well. No wonder Japanese lives so long. I would too getting pampered with all these lovely onsen. The only thing I don't like is the gazes my friends and I get from old geegee when we're naked in the springs. You guys seriously need to get rid of these xenophobic attitude. Some of them get out of the springs once we go in. Its way too obvious.

I actually enjoy more times in China than in Korea since I love history and nature. Its just inescapable for me not to visit China. Especially Yunan. I love that place. And Zhangjiajie, wow! I just went there a couple of months ago. Its amazing. Nothing like it in the world.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

/facepalm I cannot believe the blatant lies.

Or worse, have a northern neighbor that can blow up your country to kingdom come in a blink of an eye.

No just no. North Korea has missiles that can reach all of Japan and South Korea. It's already been established that North Korea is bluffing with its nukes on the South due to the nuclear fallout. The problem is the 10s of thousands of artillery at Japan and South Korea. Despite this the issue is more of a poor man with a flamethrower on a rich man's mansion. South Korea's military is much stronger than Japan's in terms of training and the raw specs. I think Japan needs to beef up its military. It's military is just above Taiwan's.

Now to the other posts. I can't believe the blatant nationalism. If you've been to SK that many times, then why did you travel their for such a high number and bash it. Give me a break, japanese people.

"Bu bu bu but, I never liked it. Nothing close to Japan!" Ye I'm sure. Nationalism is such a disease.

-6 ( +2 / -9 )

Despite this the issue is more of a poor man with a flamethrower on a rich man's mansion. South Korea's military is much stronger than Japan's in terms of training and the raw specs.

Oho, oh... Another gyopo who wants to blabber about a war against Japan and how Korean army is superior to any other around ;) And I don't know where did you get your informations about superior training developed in South Korea and compare it to Japan ;) They teach Koreans about that in schools as well?

No just no. North Korea has missiles that can reach all of Japan and South Korea.

Japan has got an AEGIS warships wall shelter around the isles coupled with ground forces. There's some kind of risk but much lower than you'd think.

1 ( +3 / -1 )

Huge decrease in tourism from Japan and the rest of the world to Korea? Well let's take a step back and look at the greater tourism numbers. South Korea which has about 50 million people recorded over 10 million visitors last year. Japan which has about 130 people, recorded just over 6 million.

Don't think there is too much of a dispute as to which country the international community favors to visit. The numbers don't lie. South Korea doesn't have too much to worry.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Don't think there is too much of a dispute as to which country the international community favors to visit.

If by international you mean Asia, than sure. 75% of tourists to korea are from Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. Japan accounts for 40% of that group. A 30% decline in tourists from Japan means a decrease of 1,000,000 visitors per year.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

well face it, korea getting boring, even jeju island already depleted as landmark. i rather go to see sakurajima in kyushu and tastes all kind of ramen there.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

CanuckNikkei will you please tell me where Kimokekahuna is? Which island? Thank you.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In my view, the decrease in Japanese tourism has a lot less to do with the conflict between the two countries over the islands. If this was the case, Japanese tourism would have dropped the most when Korean President Lee Myung Bak actually went to the islands last year. If you look at Japanese tourism numbers to Korea at that time, there was a slight temporary downward blip as a result of his trip.

What has really caused Japanese tourism to drop in Korea starting in March is the value of the Yen. It was around 80 and since March, it has decreased to 100. It has become 25% more expensive for Japanese to travel to Korea. I am willing to bet that Japanese tourism fell not just to Korea, but in general as a whole. The Japanese are frugal when it comes to spending and a 25% increase in travelling costs represents a high cost increase for them.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

smoothd

Nope not according to Japan immigration office. I did a quick comparison of 1~4 2012 and 1~4 2013 the number of Japanese leaving Japan and although there is a 6% drop it is nothing near the 30% drop to Korea. One more thing the foreign visitors to Japan for 2012 was 8,367,872 not 6 million that was the amount for 2011.

http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/toukei/toukei_ichiran_nyukan.html

http://www.jnto.go.jp/jpn/reference/tourism_data/visitor_trends/2012_december_zantei.pdf

1 ( +2 / -1 )

SamuraiBlue, you're completely ignoring the fact that the Japanese Yen has dropped 40% of the value against the Korean Won - the most decline in value against any country.

In 2012, 11.1 million tourists arrived in South Korea, and this year, they're on track to make 12 million, as international concerns about North Korean tensions eases. Arrivals to South Korea has increased from most countries except Japan and parts of Europe (where they are going through rough economic times), especially Chinese arrivals which have increased by 70% surge, making the Chinese number one source of tourists for South Korea. Due to the visitor increases, Japan is growing less important than in the past (sort of how the economic relations between the two countries are going). So it looks like Japanese are staying away from Korea, but Chinese are staying away from Japan, and instead coming to Korea, while Koreans are open-minded to enjoy both China and Japan - irregardless the territorial/historic issues.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

The comment by milkihouse said exactly what I had in mind. In other words, South Korea will continue to blame Japan over the lack of visitors to South Korea and then demand an apology and then money. I heard it all before.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Kapuna, me and my muddled-up sentences! Sorry. I was texting to the first poster whose username is Kimokekahuna Hawaii. My parents were in Honolulu and Captain Cook.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Another reason why Japanese staying away, yellow journalism full of lies and fear mongering.

http://www.zakzak.co.jp/society/foreign/news/20130717/frn1307170728000-n1.htm

It says Korean economy has collapsed due to Japanese tourists staying away from Korea, with homeless Koreans on streets filling to the brim, with violent crime exploding all over the country. It says that Korea is on the brink of total collapse. Korean males are roaming the streets hunting down Japanese on streets, with dangerous weapons and beating up any Japanese they find, and there is blood on the streets. It says Koreans are stopping to find Japanese and asking them the question about Takeshima and Comfort Women and if there's wrong answer, they kill the Japanese. It says the Japanese are exiting out of Korea in mass because they are afraid of their lives.

With constant bombardment of such pathetic fantasy "news" on Korea covering so much of Japanese media these days, it's no wonder Japanese tourists who never question the validity of such stories of imagination are staying away.

Anyway, SamuraiBlue, here's Japan's own tourism which depends 65% of it's tourism source from Korea, China, and East Asia. Chinese tourism has dropped by 40%, so now Japan is trying to get South East Asians to come.

http://staging.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/11/national/plan-okd-to-lure-southeast-asia-guests/#.Uea-elMnQso

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Chucky3176 -

You can point the finger at the press, you can crunch the numbers until the cows come home and you can shout "xenophobia" until you need a new set of lungs, but it won't change this fact:

As a vacation destination, South Korea is mediocre at best.

If you're planning a vacation in East Asia, there is nothing that you can see, do, buy or experience in South Korea that comes close to what you can see, do, buy or experience in nearby countries.

I'm not saying it's on par with Somalia or anything - but as someone who travels there on business fairly often (ie. not at my expense) I can't understand why anyone who isn't a devout student of Korean culture would bother when there are so many other vastly superior options nearby.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

hokkaidoguy, die painfully c v nt.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

hokkaidoguy, I really don't give a rat's behind if Japanese find other destinations and stay away from Korea. Good for them, but don't try to make it sound as if Japanese are victims here and making up false stories as if Koreans are suffering so much because the Japanese have all left. My god, that's pretty delusional in my opinion. Frankly I tell my Korean friends to go somewhere other than Japan, where calling for massacres of Koreans are thought to be pretty normal.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Chucky

I guess you have gone through the links I posted. The down fall had been filled by other nationalities especially from Europe and Northern America. As for the devaluation of the Yen at the end of last year and start of this year. It went down across the board and yet there was only a 6% down in tourism going abroad while Korea experienced 30%. Blame others is only going to aggravate the situation and is not going to get better until people start to reflex what they had done wrong and start considering what they can do to help themselves.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

SamuraiBlue, take a look at Korean media one of these days. I assure you, hardly anybody even notice that a few Japanese tourists are missing, nevermind if there's that much news on Japan (as there is about Korea in Japan news) period. Good lord. So keep on hoping against hope. Japan should worry more about its bad quality products, instead of worrying about other country's tourism problems. I hear that a brand new big tanker ship built by Mitsubishi broke in half at sea for no reason. Now that's more worthy news to cover.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

As I read this article and all the comments thereunder, I was reminded of Robert Frost's thoughts;

Some say the world will end in "Fire;" Others say with "Ice;"

From what I've tasted of Desire, I would side with those who favor Fire...

Yet from what I've seen of Hate; I think that for destruction, Ice is also great and will suffice... *

Oh, and as a third-generation, half-Korean/half-Japanese, local yokel grown up in Waianae; Nasakenai!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Yet travel to Taiwan is at an all time high according to this article:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/06/02/2003563784

5 ( +5 / -0 )

To S. Korea, are you surprised that this is the end result of all your hate towards your neighbour?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Who wants to go to a country that is 100 times worse than Japan? I went and it sucked. They copy EVERYTHING from Japan. The japanese should visit better places than that hole. Germany, Sweden, Finland.... the list is infinite.

japan copied from u.s., when it was modernizing. the u.s., in turn, copied a lot from the british, when it was modernizing. the british stole from the germans.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Travel Industry is victim. They are not bad-mouthing Japan,

0 ( +0 / -0 )

chucky3176Jul. 18, 2013 - 12:00PM JST

SamuraiBlue, take a look at Korean media one of these days. I assure you, hardly anybody even notice that a few Japanese tourists are missing, nevermind if there's that much news on Japan (as there is about Korea in Japan news) period.

Why do you play pretend? The fact is that there many tourist places in South Korea that cater to Japanese tourists and they are hurting. Whatever the reason, Japanese tourism to Korea has dropped considerably. There may be several reasons, but no Japanese person I have talked to had a very good impression of Korea because of many anti-Japanese comments by Korean politicians, especially their last two presidents. Such "nationalism" might play well at home, but it won't do much for their tourism.

I doubt if cost is that much of a factor because many Japanese tourists travel to much more expensive destinations such as the USA or Canada or Europe. No one wants to go to a place where they don't feel welcome. And in fact the Japanese economy is doing much better than Korea's, the Japanese have a much higher standard of living and Japanese products are just flat-out better in most sectors than Korea's--take a look at the car sales in foreign markets. You seem to hate Japan with a passion, but wishful thinking does not change facts.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Korea has many beautiful places Japanese people (including dual speaking people). It has beautiful arts and performing arts. Years ago, there was a lady named Li Yoshiye who had bad time in Japan when she was growing (I am sure all Korean desendents in Japan has), studied in Korean Univ and established as world class dance performer. Don't recommend Las Vegas. Vegas people do not badmouth other country but Japanese travelers will lose money here.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Who cares about Korea, they are just an extension of the PRC and really who the heck wants to visit the PRC.

South Korea needs to stop pretending that they are any different than the North and just finish bowing to their Northern comrades and call Monchichi Jr their master.

-3 ( +2 / -3 )

@JoeBigs: We are talking about travel agency. You are writing something else.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Now...guys, stop the hate. Currently, Japanese prefer other places for their holidays over South Korea, probably both for political and economic reasons. Some travel agencies in South Korea are hurt by this trend, but they'll survive, there are many Chinese tourists there. End of story. Let the thread to die...Don't you see how many troll comments? Nationalists, nationalists everywhere, from both the sides.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

toshikoJul. 23, 2013 - 03:41AM JST @JoeBigs: We are talking about travel agency. You are writing something else.

Yes, I read the article and that is why I said, who cares about Korea. Let them wallow in their own hate filled creation.

Korea needs Japan more than Japan needs Korea.

But dont worry, the PRC will fill the void the Japanese tourist left and really who cares. I for one would take a Japanese tourist 100 times faster than I would an uncouth PRC drone.

As I said before, let them wallow in their own misery.

Next, KPOP and KDramas..

-4 ( +2 / -4 )

But dont worry, the PRC will fill the void the Japanese tourist left and really who cares. I for one would take a Japanese tourist 100 times faster than I would an uncouth PRC drone.

Your comment is racist, seriously. =_=

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Wow, so much heated debate and raw hate in this thread. It's too bad we can't take this heat to generate clean energy.

As for my 2 cents, fully aware that I am a slightly home sick Japanese American living in the US and fully aware that could make me bias. Having lived and traveled all over China, Japan, the US, (I've only visited Seoul once). If I was given money to travel anywhere in the world right now to go Anywhere!! Including places I want to go but never have been such as Rome or a Scandinavian ice Hotel. I would Still say Onsen Ryokan somewhere in Japan, preferably an Onsen Mura with steam escaping here and there. There is just something about the Complete travel experience of Japan. Friendly service, delicious food, beauty of the seasons. I Just I feel like I'm absorbing my vacation through all 5 senses and then something more than that. Like a spiritual recharging too. I can't place my finger on it but it's like eating fruit. In America, the fruit looks tasty, and it's fairly priced, but you sink your teeth into it and there's always disappointment. In Japan fruit costs an arm and a leg, but an apple, a peach, a melon tastes like how it is described in myth... Like ambrosia.

I'm not adding much to this thread but I hope people can realize that it sucks to be businesses that are competing for Japanese tourist money. From eating crabs and snowy rotenburo in Hokkaido to the resort beaches and ryukyuu culture and cuisine of Okinawa, Japan has so much variation and is so easy to travel with it's rail services, and has the best customer service in the world in my opinion. I'm surprised Japanese travelers don't turn their eyes inward and just travel domestically more where you are guaranteed such a great travel experience.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Peter Nozawa: We have been discussing Korean Tourism Agency. This is not Japanese tour guide article Write your experience in Korea. Not your very limited knowledge of Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Nozawa: How about write your experience in Korea since this article is about S Korean Travel Industry/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well the article is about how the S Korean travel industry is hurting for Japanese tourists, and I don't think I was being too off topic by saying, it's hard to lure Japanese away from Japan. As for my travel experience in Seoul and it's suburbs... I don't mean to offend anyone, and I'm fully aware there are many parts in Korea that are modern and futuristic, but the areas I saw reminded me of 1980s Japan. I don't see why I would go other than to see friends.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@nozawa: Comment writers of JT usually live in Japan and know Japan very well. So, I suggest you write about your experience in cities in Korea Japanese should avo Don't forget the name of the ciities. .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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