Busan is good

Busan to Operate “QR Code Reporting for Price Gouging” at Accommodation Facilities and Conduct On-Site Inspections

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that as the BTS World Tour—the first in approximately four years—is scheduled to be held in Busan, the city has been continuously conducting online reporting through the “QR Code Reporting for Price Gouging” system and carrying out on-site inspections to prevent unfair trade practices at accommodation facilities across the city.

The “QR Code Reporting for Price Gouging” system allows domestic and international tourists to immediately report price gouging by scanning a QR code. Reports are forwarded via the Korea Tourism Organization’s Tourist Complaint Center (1330) to the relevant authorities, including local governments and related agencies.

The system has been operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism since October last year and is currently also promoted through a notification banner on the city’s official website. In November last year, Busan Metropolitan City distributed QR code promotional stickers and posters and has actively promoted the system through district and county offices as well as the Busan Tourism Association.

Starting next week, joint inspection teams comprising the city and district and county governments will conduct on-site checks of accommodation facilities reported online. These inspections will verify on-site conditions and provide guidance while checking compliance with operators’ obligations.

Even now, district and county offices conduct routine inspections of tourist accommodation facilities, and unfair practices such as unjustified pricing and failure to honor reservation conditions are reflected in hotel grading evaluations.

Going forward, Busan Metropolitan City plans to convene a tourism readiness inspection meeting with relevant agencies to hold in-depth discussions on fundamental measures to address excessive accommodation price increases.

In addition, once the concert venue is finalized, the city will provide guidance—through its official social media channels—on accommodation-dense areas with good public transportation access, in order to disperse the concentration of reservations at accommodation facilities near the concert venue.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “We are looking ahead to welcoming five million foreign tourists to Busan,” adding, “By visiting sites in person, we will ensure that visitors coming to Busan for this occasion can stay longer and build lasting positive memories. Through online reporting via the ‘QR Code Reporting for Price Gouging’ system and joint on-site inspections with district and county governments, we will proactively prevent unfair accommodation trade practices and thoroughly inspect our tourism readiness. Busan Metropolitan City will mobilize all available administrative resources to support the successful hosting of this concert.”