Although reports suggest the spread of the MERS outbreak in South Korea may be slowing, inbound tourism will continue to be hit throughout the summer peak season.
That is the view of acting Prime Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, who said tourists from its major markets like China and Taiwan will be reluctant to travel for some time.
"We’ve seen and confirmed the plunge in visitors from abroad. The MERS outbreak is feared to have an adverse effect on the overall tourism sector in the summer peak season," Choi said.
State-run Korea Tourism Organization said thousands of Chinese and Taiwanese travellers have scrapped plans to travel to Korea since the beginning of June with many more cancellations likely.
Seoul’s duty free stores, usually filled with Chinese shoppers, have seen revenue fall sharply.
The Lotte Department Store duty free store said sales have plummeted 70% since the first case of MERS was reported in late May.
Meanwhile several Chinese airlines have made cuts in their schedules to South Korea due to falling travel demand.
Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Spring Airlines have all either reduced the number of flights or temporarily suspended services.
Another MERS death was reported Sunday, bringing the total to 15, with another 145 confirmed cases of the virus.
