Many of the complaints foreign tourists had while visiting South Korea last year were about 'overcharging' for food and other services.
According to the '2024 Comprehensive Analysis Report on Tourism Complaints' published by the Korea Tourism Organization on the 15th, a total of 1,543 complaints were received by the tourism complaints reception center last year, a 71.1% increase from the previous year.
Of the complaints reported by foreigners, 1,433 cases (92.9%) were recorded, while 110 cases (7.1%) were from domestic citizens. Among these, complaints from the Greater China region, including China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, accounted for 1,022 cases (66.2%), more than half.
Compared to 2019, before COVID-19, the number of complaint reports decreased in most countries and regions. However, there was a significant increase in the Greater China region. The Korea Tourism Organization explained that as China lifted restrictions on overseas travel in 2023, the demand for overseas travel among Chinese tourists surged, and their travel style shifted from group tours to independent travel, leading to an increase in complaints.
Among the complaints received, 'shopping' (398 cases) accounted for the largest share at 25.8%, followed by 'taxi' (309 cases), 'accommodation' (258 cases), and 'airport and airline' (165 cases).
In shopping complaints, 'price disputes' (23.1%), 'rudeness' (22.6%), and 'refund and product exchange requests' (14.6%) were the most common categories. A Japanese tourist, Mr. A, reported that he ordered 53,000 won worth of chicken for takeout at a chicken restaurant and was charged 553,000 won on his credit card.
Reasons for complaints related to 'taxis' included 'unjust fare collection and refusal to use the meter' (60.2%), 'driver rudeness' (10.4%), and 'reckless driving and detours' (8.7%). An Australian tourist, Mr. B, noted, "I used a taxi from Incheon International Airport to a hotel in Yongsan, Seoul, at night, and the driver took several detours, resulting in a total charge of 106,100 won."
Complaints related to accommodation were found to be about 'poor facilities and hygiene management' (34.5%), 'cancellation and penalty fees' (24.4%), and 'poor service' (18.2%).