Update | Tourists - and their money - skipping South Korea as Mers crisis persists
South Korean businesses that rely on tourism, especially from China, feel the economic pinch as thousands of would-be visitors cancel their trips
Atom Wong admits he was concerned about the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) outbreak when he arrived in Seoul last week. But like many of the tourists who still made the trip, the Hongkonger was loathe to lose the money he had already spent on the holiday.
"We did ask if we could change or cancel the tour, but [this was not possible] because our flights and the hotel had already been booked. There was nothing we could do" besides go on the trip, said Wong, who travelled with his elderly mother and young daughter.
South Korea on Sunday reported its 15th death from the Mers virus and that the the growing outbreak has now infected 145. As the number of confirmed Mers cases continues to rise, thousands of tourists have cancelled their holidays to the country.
"There seem to be less people around," Wong said while standing in a quiet alley in the Myeongdong district, an area that is normally bustling with tourists. "I see a lot of tourists wearing masks here. We wear them when we go to crowded areas such as local theatres for musicals."
There are probably 50 per cent less people … which is great for our shopping
Renowned for its pop culture, fashion, food and medical tourism industry, South Korea has become one of the most popular destinations for Chinese and other Asian tourists in recent years.