When MERS is less – tourist arrivals drastically drop in South Korea

Two women wearing face masks take a selfie as they walk in the grounds of Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul. Photo: AFP/Ed Jones

Despite July customarily being one of Seoul’s busiest holiday months, on a bright sunny Monday afternoon the city’s largest palace and tourist hot spot, Gyeongbukgung Palace, was virtually devoid of international tourists.

Myeong-dong – Seoul’s shopping mecca that is typically teeming with tourists – and the duty-free shops in Lotte Department Store’s main branch are experiencing rare quiet months in the height of the summer season.