Seoul to crack down on overpriced hotel rates ahead of major fireworks festival
Seoul plans to inspect hotels near Yeouido ahead of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, targeting excessive room rates and cancellations that could leave visitors stranded as more than 1 million people are expected to attend. The city government and the Yeongdeungpo, Mapo and Yongsan district offices will conduct joint inspections from Sept. 1-3, focusing on hotels with views of the Sept.…
Seoul is set to intensify its scrutiny of hotel rates in the vicinity of Yeouido, in preparation for the upcoming Seoul International Fireworks Festival. The festival is anticipated to draw over 1 million attendees, and the city authorities aim to prevent any potential inconveniences for visitors due to high-priced accommodations or sudden cancellations.
The city government, along with the Yeongdeungpo, Mapo, and Yongsan district offices, will conduct coordinated inspections from September 1 to 3, with a particular emphasis on hotels offering a view of the festival taking place on September 5.
During the inspections, officials will verify whether hotels are adhering to the regulations regarding the display of room rates. This encompasses a recent rule, effective July 14, which mandates that prices be displayed on online booking platforms as well as at the hotel's reception desk. Under the amended regulation, the initial breach of the rate-posting rule could now lead to a five-day suspension of business operations, replacing the earlier penalties of a warning or an order to make necessary improvements.
The city officials stated that they will take administrative action upon identifying any violations, with the assistance of district health departments, as they possess jurisdiction over administrative penalties under public health regulations.
In addition to the inspections, Seoul authorities will also keep an eye on room rates throughout the festival period to ensure they remain within reasonable limits.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
