PM Hwang visits Myeongdong to encourage tourism sector
SEOUL, Aug. 3 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn visited a major shopping district in downtown Seoul Monday, where foreign tourism has been starting to pick up after a virtual end to the spread of a respiratory virus in the country.
The visit was arranged to understand the current situation in the tourism industry and to encourage those who work in it, as South Korea is getting back to business after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
"As the revisit rate in the country is low compared to other advanced countries such as France, related authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, should put forth constant efforts," said Hwang at the Myeongdong tourist information center.
Hwang also visited the Tourist Police Office and emphasized their role in creating a favorable impression of the country.
Just days before on July 28, Seoul declared a de facto end to the MERS outbreak. When the virus hit its peak in June, about 132,000 foreign tourists, mostly from China, canceled their trips to South Korea.
Since the first case was diagnosed in the country in late May, nearly 16,700 people have been subject to quarantine after coming in close contact with MERS patients. Globally, the disease carries a fatality rate of about 36 percent. In South Korea, the fatality rate currently stands at 19.4 percent, with 186 confirmed MERS infections and 36 deaths.
An official end to the outbreak is expected to be made later in August as the World Health Organization requires a 28-day waiting period following the recovery of the last patient.
scaaet@yna.co.kr
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