S. Korean airlines, travel agencies try to jump start tourism with 'Safe Tours'
By Jim Lea, Osan bureau chief
South Korean airlines and travel agents report business losses up to
30 percent since the Sept 11. attacks in the United States.
Officials at the nation’s two airlines and tourism companies say
people express fears of traveling, especially to the United States. Tourists are canceling
reservations to U.S. destinations, opting to visit either other locations or taking
domestic vacations.
But one Seoul travel agency is trying to reverse that trend by
offering what it calls “Safe Tours.”
Safe Tours, offered by the Nextour Company, involve gas masks for use
during possible bio-terrorism attacks and cellular telephones for customers who find
themselves caught in a terror situation.
The company also increased the tour’s travel insurance amount
from the previous $79,365 to $238,095, a company spokeswoman said.
She added that eight-day package tours to West Coast cities cost $714
to $1,032 depending on hotel accommodations. Ten-day tours to the East Coast are $1,350,
she said.
“No one has signed up for the tours, yet,” she said,
“but we’ve had a lot of calls for more information.”
The tours will be offered until Dec. 14 when the normal year end
travel rush begins. South Korean travel officials speculate that the chill on overseas
travel may thaw then.
Bae Gi-chul contributed to this report.
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