South Korean retail sales surged during Holidays

The unprecedented extension of the Japanese Golden Week holiday to 10 days has seen a surge in tourists visiting South Korea.

The holiday was extended to mark the enthronement of Crown Prince Naruhito from the usual April 29 to May 5 period.

Duty free businesses saw big jumps in sales during the period compared to the previous year. Lotte Duty Free in Sogong-dong saw a 45 per cent sales increase, while Shinsegae Duty Free in Myeongdong saw an 80 per cent year-on-year increase.

Hotels in the main commercial districts of Seoul also saw double-digit occupancy boosts during the period above Golden Week figures for last year.

Tourism from China was also up 25 per cent during the period, although this rise was lower than in the first four months of this year.