The government is committed to easing foreigners’ unwarranted fears about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome that has seriously hurt local tourism and retail businesses, a senior government official said Monday.
Since its outbreak on May 20, the viral disease has claimed 27 lives and sickened 169 people, sparking a serious health scare and sending the number of foreign tourists to South Korea tumbling.
Speaking to business owners in the Myeongdong shopping district in downtown Seoul, Vice Finance Minister Bang Moon-kyu said every effort is being made to limit the fallout of the MERS scare.
“South Korea’s diplomatic missions abroad have been ordered to provide correct, timely information about MERS to foreign media outlets and investors,” he said.
“Real time and accurate information is also being provided directly by the government. Such data is being provided in several foreign languages for easier access.”
Store owners claimed that compared to May, sales have dropped as much as 50 percent, making it hard for many to pay rent and wages. They said that if the present situation drags on, they will have to fire some employees.
Many hotels in Myeongdong and the surrounding areas said there has been a hike in cancellations, putting pressure on their ability to refund reservations.
According to official data, more than 123,000 people canceled their planned trips to South Korea in the first three weeks of June.
To counter the drop, the government said it will inject emergency funds and provide tax-related support to businesses that have been hit the hardest by MERS.
The government said it will make available 40 billion won ($36.3 million) from the tourism promotion fund, with another 100 billion won worth of support to be provided by various credit guarantee funds. (Yonhap)
