Diplomatic row with Japan sent more Chinese travellers packing for Korea, filling its hotels over the nine-day holiday and offering relief to a sluggish domestic economy
But a sudden deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations changed everything.
“The original plan was to transit through Seoul on our way to Japan,” Tang said. “But the airline couldn’t refund the tickets at the time, so we decided to stay in Seoul and not continue on to Japan.”
Tang and his family were among the influx of Chinese tourists who visited Korea during the holiday period, which began on February 15 and ended on Monday.
