According to Cao Tri Dung, chairman of the Danang Tourism Association, the plane crash has significantly affected the flow of South Korean tourists to the city. Travel agencies that serve tourists from Jeju Air and Muan Airport are witnessing a noticeable drop.
South Korean tourists at Han Market in Danang (Photo by Thanh Hien)
A representative from a travel company in Danang said that the peak season for Korean tourists usually spans from December to February. However, after the devastating Jeju Aeroplane incident, the firm has seen an almost 50 percent decline in South Korean visitors.
"At this time last year, we hosted around 1,000 South Korean guests, but now that number has dwindled to just a few hundred," he said, adding that many other travel companies are facing the same situation.
The manager of a hotel on Danang's Vo Nguyen Giap Street stated that many South Korean guests cancelled their room bookings right after the plane explosion. However, the situation is gradually improving.
Nguyen Van Quang, Secretary of the Danang Party Committee, said South Korea is the city's most significant international tourism market, accounting for more than 40 percent. The plane crash has affected the number of South Korean visitors and tour groups coming to Danang.
Jeju Air runs three flights to Danang per day.