Tour Ban Eased

[Anchor Lead]

China has partially lifted a ban on group tour packages to Korea. There are multiple conditions that apply, but the removal of the ban, even a partial one, is being applauded here as a noteworthy progress. The industry-wide restriction has dragged on for more than eight months.

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The Chinese tourism authority notified Chinese travel agencies of the partial approval on group tours to Korea. The travel agencies are allowed to only sell the tour products that depart from Beijing and Shandong Province. Although only a few tour programs have been permitted, the ban on the sales of group tour products, which had lasted since March, has effectively been lifted. However, agencies cannot advertise for tourists at other places or on internet websites. Also, the ban still remains in place for cruise ships or chartered flights.

[Soundbite] (Korea Tourism Organization Official) : "It's now an off-season for tourism. We expect the ban to be removed completely and the market normalized before the peak season."

China has also left intact the restrictions on Lotte for providing the site for the contentious high-altitude missile defense system. Any products related to Lotte, including retailers and hotels run by Lotte, may not be sold or operated in China. Similar to when the ban was enacted, Chinese authorities notified the travel agencies unofficially, without a public announcement.

[Soundbite] Geng Shuang(Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman) : "I don't know much about the approval of group tours. China is enthusiastic and open about exchanges and cooperation with Korea in all areas."

Tours to North Korea, which had flourished even when the sanctions against the Pyongyang regime were in effect, have been limited to those departing from Liaoning and Jilin Provinces. Therefore, Chinese group tourists are projected to come back to Korea within this year at the earliest. China has said that this is just the first step, hinting that other measures may follow after the Korea-China summit takes place next month.