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S. Korea tries to lure HK tourists back after MERS outbreak

Xinhua, July 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korea tries to lure tourists from Hong Kong to revive its domestic economy after suffering from a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak.

South Korea was now completely safe for visitors, Steve Lee, executive director of the Korea Tourism Organization's Hong Kong branch, said here Thursday.

The organization was currently coordinating with other agencies to win back the hearts of foreign tourists as tourism currently accounted for 6 to 7 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

Lee said the country will offer discounts to Hong Kong tourists, adding that he believes the tourism industry will pick up next month.

"I expect the industry to return to normal levels in October, which is usually a peak season for Hong Kong people traveling to South Korea," Lee said.

South Korea saw an outbreak of MERS in May. The disease claimed 36 lives and infected 186 people, according to data from the South Korean's Ministry of Health and Welfare. Endi