What Are 'Dumping Tours' and Why Is South Korea Cracking Down on Them?
Photo Credit: Travel companies include frequent shopping activities as part of the tour and earn commissions from vendors. AP / Ahn Young-joon
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Ever snagged a dirt-cheap tour package and thought you hit the jackpot, only to find your guide dragging you from one souvenir shop to the next? Well, guess what? You’ve just been on a dumping tour.
South Korea is taking action to combat the practice of “dumping tours,” when tourists are pushed into shopping at specific locations, often at inflated prices.
The South Korean government has said it would crack down against travel companies that attract tourists with low-priced packages and then make up for the loss by including frequent shopping activities, from where they earn commissions from vendors.
These travel packages are also sold on social media.
The tourism ministry also plans to meet with travel agencies next week to explain the new guidelines, review 215 agencies specializing in group tours in July, and welcome new applications for licenses in August. Companies that present innovative and ethical tour programs will receive extra credits, the government has said.
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