Summer Vacation, Overcharging Continues… Outrage in Busan, Sokcho, Jeju, and Ulleungdo
As the summer vacation season has officially begun, the controversy over "overcharging" has flared up again at major tourist destinations across the country.
Accommodations in the Gwangalli area of Busan have faced criticism for raising their overnight rates from hundreds of thousands of won up to 2 million won ahead of the firework festival season. Some establishments also demanded additional fees from existing customers under the guise of "special rates," leading to numerous complaints.
Similar complaints have emerged from Ulleungdo as well. A video posted by a travel YouTuber showed a guesthouse serving pork belly mixed with nearly half fat, and despite having a broken air conditioner, there was no apology from the accommodation. The video quickly went viral, prompting netizens to comment, "With this, I won't be going to Ulleungdo."
Sokcho in Gangwon Province was not an exception. Instances of accommodations and restaurants charging higher than usual rates were confirmed, leading tourists to express that "it would be better to travel abroad instead."
Consumer Dissatisfaction Confirmed by Statistics
According to a recent survey released by the Korea Economic Association, 45.1% of domestic travelers cited "high prices at tourist sites" as the biggest source of dissatisfaction with local travel. There have been 155 reports of overcharging filed with the Korea Consumer Agency over the past five years, with 50 of those complaints received in just the last year.
Social media and online communities are overflowing with reviews such as, "I was shocked when I saw the bill," and "A pleasant trip turned into an unpleasant memory."
Jeju Island is also conducting a "Fair Price Campaign" following the controversy over fatty pork belly, but some regions still have shops that do not display price lists, raising concerns.
Government and Local Authorities Make Efforts to Eliminate Overcharging
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization have initiated a special inspection over two weeks targeting 77 major tourist sites across the country. They are covertly checking whether accommodations, restaurants, and rental services are complying with price display regulations and are allowed to impose fines or corrective orders on violators.
Establishments that faithfully operate at fixed prices can be designated as "Fair Price Excellent Establishments" and will receive promotional benefits from the tourism organization.
Local governments are also taking action. Sokcho has established a "Price Stability Situation Room" to address price monitoring and consumer complaints until the end of August, and Incheon is focusing on inspecting the presence of price tags in the Eulwangri and Wangsan beach areas.
Yeosu is actively promoting a pre- reporting system for accommodation rates near Manheongri Beach to prevent overcharging.
Consumers Need to Arm Themselves with Information to Avoid Damage
Experts emphasize that relying solely on government inspections has its limits, and consumers must also make an effort to equip themselves with information.
It is helpful to verify price lists or menus for accommodation fees, food costs, and rental fees in advance, as well as to research online reviews or social media information from recent visitors. Additionally, consumers should carefully check for special rates during peak season or festival periods and any additional costs that may arise from changing reservations to avoid unexpected bills.
If one encounters unreasonable charges on-site, it is advisable to secure receipts, photos, or video evidence and report it to the Korea Consumer Agency (1372) or the relevant local government. Choosing establishments certified as "Fair Price Excellent Establishments" by the government or local authorities is also a wise choice.
Ultimately, the satisfaction of domestic travel during the summer season is determined by "price transparency." While the government and local authorities are strengthening inspections, it is only when each consumer makes wise choices and maintains a small vigilance that a fair travel culture will take root.
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