Major retailers and tourism-related businesses in Seoul have chalked up record sales to tourists at a rate of increase of above 50% so far this year, a major improvement since tourism to the South Korean capital city was impacted by MERS outbreak from last May to the year-end, according to a report of South Korea’s AJU Business Daily. 

Lotte Department Store reported that sales to Chinese visitors had grown 48% YoY from January 1 to April 11, and 50% higher than the sales volume in the first quarter last year just before the MERS outbreak. Lotte Duty-free Stores’ sales revenues from Chinese travelers soared by 53% YoY in Q1 this year, and group visitors’ spending in the stores increased by 69.9%.  

The duty-free store will host a concert in Seoul Jamsil Olympic Stadium on April 15-17 to attract an estimated 15,000 Chinese tourists. (Translated by Jerry)