Busan City Government Introduces Price Gouging QR Report System to Combat Unfair Accommodation Fees for BTS Concert
As the excitement for BTS's concert in Busan grew, concerns about price gouging at local accommodations emerged. In response, the Busan city government introduced a Price Gouging QR Report System on the 17th. This system allows tourists to report unfair increases in accommodation fees by scanning a QR code, which is then forwarded to relevant agencies. The city also distributed informational materials to lodging establishments and posted banners on its website.
To address the issue, Busan plans to conduct joint inspections with district offices starting next week, focusing on accommodations reported online. If unfair practices like excessive fees or booking condition violations are found, they will impact hotel grading evaluations. A review meeting involving related agencies will also be held to discuss measures against excessive fee hikes.
The need for this action arose due to complaints about significant price hikes at accommodations near the concert venue. Some places raised their rates from ₩70,000 KRW to as high as ₩1.20 million KRW during the concert. Reports also indicated cancellations of existing reservations to charge higher prices in other areas. The city aims to provide information on accommodation options with good access to the concert hall and public transportation once the venue is confirmed.
Mayor Park Hyung Jun emphasized the importance of preventing unfair accommodation transactions through the Price Gouging QR Report System and on-site inspections. President Lee Jae Myung also condemned price gouging, calling it a disruptive practice that harms everyone. Violations of lodging fee regulations under the Public Health Control Act can lead to imprisonment or fines.
In conclusion, the Busan city government's proactive measures aim to curb price gouging and ensure fair accommodation practices for tourists attending the BTS concert. By implementing the Price Gouging QR Report System and conducting inspections, Busan is committed to supporting the successful hosting of the event while protecting consumers from unfair pricing tactics.