A recent study has revealed that Chinese tourists rate accommodations in Seoul lower than those in Tokyo, Japan.
According to the report “Comparison of Seoul and Tokyo Accommodation Experiences Through Chinese Tourist Reviews,” released on the 4th by Yanolja Research, Seoul’s lodgings received an average rating of 4.31, lagging 0.17 points behind Tokyo’s 4.48.
By grade, Seoul’s 3rd-grade accommodations were rated similarly to Tokyo’s 2nd-grade and lower, Seoul’s 4th-grade accommodations were rated similarly to Tokyo’s 3rd-grade accommodations, and Seoul’s 5th-grade accommodations were rated similarly to Tokyo’s 4th-grade accommodations, suggesting that they were rated similarly to Tokyo accommodations that were one grade lower.
The most common complaints about Seoul accommodations focused on facilities, service, and hygiene. Guests criticized issues like temperature control problems, broken equipment, and small room sizes regarding facilities.
Regarding service, foreign tourists struggled with communication barriers, complained about a lack of luggage storage, and expressed frustration over the absence of front desk staff. Hygiene was also a significant issue, frequently mentioning less-than-fresh bedding and subpar housekeeping.
Ahn Yejin, a senior researcher at Yanolja Research, stated, “For Seoul accommodations to become globally competitive, they need to go beyond simply improving facilities. They must focus on customer-centered design and tailored services.” She added, “We must implement various strategies to improve foreign tourist satisfaction.”