"Big Things Are Coming"... Hotel Expectations Rise During First Chinese Holiday Since Youker's Return

Grand Hyatt Jeju Doubles Compared to Last Year
Incheon Paradise City Also Receives Group Inquiries
Extending Operating Hours to Prepare for Chinese Tourists

As China's National Day holiday approaches in a month, hotel reservation rates at major domestic tourist destinations are soaring. The hotel industry is extending operating hours of in-house facilities and planning various events in response to the return of Chinese group tourists (Youke).

Grand Hyatt Jeju inside Jeju Dream Tower [Photo by Lotte Tour Development]

According to Lotte Tour Development on the 29th, the average room reservation rate at Grand Hyatt Jeju during this year's Chinese National Day holiday period from September 29 to October 6 has risen to about 90%. This is more than double the reservation rate compared to last year's Chinese National Day holiday from October 1 to October 9.

A representative from Lotte Tour Development explained, "Out of a total of 1,600 rooms during the holiday period, reservations for an average of 1,400 rooms have been completed," adding, "Unlike last year, the overlap of the National Day holiday and Korea's Chuseok holiday also played a part, but even when looking solely at the proportion of Chinese tourists staying, the upward trend is clear."

During the same period, the room occupancy rates at Four Points by Sheraton Myeongdong and Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Station also rose above 90%, with the proportion of foreign guests reaching 85-90%.

Incheon Paradise City, adjacent to Incheon Port, is also receiving 3 to 4 group reservation inquiries per day as the holiday approaches. Last month, the search rate for ‘Paradise City’ on Baidu, China's leading search engine, increased by 287% compared to the beginning of the year.

As hotel reservation rates surge around major domestic tourist destinations, related industries have begun preparations to welcome Chinese tourists. Grand Hyatt Jeju has decided to extend the operating hours of ‘38 Pocha’ and ‘Lounge 38’ located on the hotel's 38th floor beyond midnight. Previously operating from noon to midnight, they will now operate until 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 12:30 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday, anticipating a large influx of Chinese tourists. Various alcoholic beverages highlighting Korea's charm, such as Jeju Makgeolli and Hallasan Soju, have also been reinforced. The operating hours of the ‘K Fashion Mall’ by Han Collection, which promotes domestic fashion, will be extended by one hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Incheon Paradise City is focusing on developing travel products to attract Chinese customers. On September 8, it plans to hold a live commerce broadcast in partnership with ‘Ctrip,’ China's largest online travel agency, and host various K-culture events. Shilla Stay plans to launch promotions exclusively for Chinese tourists.

Professor Yoon Tae-hwan of the Department of Hotel and Convention Management at Dong-Eui University said, "Groups and package tours that attract Youke belong to the ‘B2B’ (Business to Business) market segment, and whether these group tourists decide to revisit Korea depends on their impression of individual hotels." He added, "Since the domestic hotel industry is experiencing a favorable situation for the first time in several years after COVID-19, hotels should check their convenience facilities and infrastructure, and prepare by offering various benefits focused on products preferred by Chinese tourists."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.