Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization, and Merchant Associations: "Let us eradicate tourist rip-offs now and in the future"

*This content was translated by AI.

Recently, a foreign YouTuber who visited Korea broadcasted a segment showing that bottled water is sold at inflated prices at Seoul Gwangjang Market, a popular destination for foreign tourists, sparking controversy over "tourist rip-offs." As a result, the business owner was ordered to suspend operations for several days.

Rip-offs targeting foreigners not only severely damage Korea's image but may also deter foreign tourists from visiting. If we ourselves encounter unreasonable price gouging when traveling abroad, we would likely not want to visit that country again. With foreign tourist visits to Korea at an all-time high, we must prioritize fair pricing and warm greetings with smiles over exploitative practices.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (hereinafter "the Ministry") and the Korea Tourism Organization (hereinafter "the Organization") held a "Campaign Launch Ceremony for Fair Pricing and Courtesy in Korean Tourism" on the 30th in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, and officially launched a joint consumer-supplier campaign to eradicate tourist rip-offs.

The launch ceremony was attended by regional tourism organizations, major tourism-related associations, merchant groups, and a national monitoring team, who united their efforts to foster a "culture of travel-friendly environments" through quality growth in tourism. At the event, the online travel platform Mirealtrip and the Myeong-dong Street Shop Welfare Association shared exemplary cases of fair pricing, courtesy, and cleanliness.

A "Pleasant Intervention" campaign, a national participation-based tourism service monitoring initiative, will also be conducted through the end of October. "Pleasant Intervention" is a monitoring project where citizens directly inspect tourism services and propose improvements. Anyone can participate via QR codes installed at accommodation, dining, and shopping establishments at major tourist sites nationwide or through the event page on the "Every Corner of Korea" website.

If unfair or illegal cases such as rip-off pricing or poor hygiene are discovered during inspections, they can be reported immediately. The reports will be forwarded to local governments and relevant institutional investors. Based on the collected data, the Organization plans to provide incentives such as online and offline promotional support to high-performing tourism service establishments, thereby spreading a culture of fair pricing and courtesy.

Min Byeong-seon, Head of the Tourism Industry Division at the Organization, stated, "Fair pricing and courteous service are the most fundamental factors determining the competitiveness of Korean tourism. This campaign will not remain a one-time slogan; through sustained public-private collaboration, we will create an environment where tourists can travel safely and joyfully anywhere in the Republic of Korea."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.