Seoul Landmark Visited by Tunisian Citizens... "Exclusive Services for Foreigners Operated"

The Hyundai Seoul, considered a must-visit course for foreign tourists, announced on the 4th that it is operating a 'Global Tour Support' service. As its status as a 'Global Shopping Landmark' has risen, it is determined to enhance the shopping convenience for foreign tourists.

First, Hyundai Department Store operates a free luggage storage service at the Tourist Desk located on the first floor of The Hyundai Seoul. The Tourist Desk was established in September last year to improve shopping convenience for foreigners, staffed by employees proficient in multiple languages including English, Chinese, and Japanese. This service is only available at The Hyundai Seoul among Hyundai Department Store branches.

Foreign tourists are using the luggage storage service provided at The Hyundai Seoul. Provided by Hyundai Department Store.

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Additionally, to help foreign customers easily find their desired stores without staff assistance, a self-tour map is provided at the concierge desk on the first floor. A mobile navigation service using QR codes posted inside the store has also been introduced, allowing customers to check their real-time location and search for stores. The mobile navigation service is initially offered in Korean and English, with plans to expand the available languages.

A curation program based on the AI chatbot consultation service ‘Jelpbo’ will also be introduced. This service allows users to select their preferred language and receive detailed information about various events, promotions, and stores offered at The Hyundai Seoul. Furthermore, The Hyundai Seoul is preparing travel kits, foreigner-exclusive classes linked with the cultural center to experience Korean culture, and delivery services in partnership with luxury hotels in the Seoul area.

As the number of foreign tourists visiting The Hyundai Seoul is rapidly increasing, it is expected that customers will conveniently experience various content through these services. The countries of foreign visitors to The Hyundai Seoul, based on tax refund data, increased sharply from 40 countries in 2021 to 82 countries in 2022, 125 countries in 2023, and 156 countries last year. The number of visiting countries nearly quadrupled within three years of opening.

Considering that the total number of countries worldwide is 193 according to the United Nations (UN) member states, this means that visitors from 8 out of every 10 countries have visited The Hyundai Seoul. Visitors have come evenly from all continents, including China, the United States, France, Australia, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, and other African countries.

This number surpasses that of the Hyundai Department Store Trade Center branch, which has a city airport center and luxury hotels and attracts many foreign tourists for business purposes. During the same period, 132 countries visited the Trade Center branch, which has a similar sales scale to The Hyundai Seoul.

With the influx of foreigners to The Hyundai Seoul, the proportion of foreign customers in total sales last year also reached 14.6%. Until February 2023, the foreign sales ratio remained in the 3% range, but it has significantly increased in about two years. Foreign tourists are known to frequently visit the 5th floor 'Sounds Forest,' the filming location of the drama ‘Queen of Tears,’ as well as domestic designer brand stores such as 'Matang Kim,' 'Imiss,' and 'Thisisneverthat,' including idol pop-up stores.

A Hyundai Department Store official said, “If we include foreigners who did not apply for tax refunds, the number of visiting countries is expected to be even higher than 156.” He added, “As The Hyundai Seoul has risen as a landmark recognized not only domestically but also internationally, we will strive to provide various convenient services befitting this status.”

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