Korean tourism industry hit hard by MERS in 2015

South Korea's tourism industry suffered a severe setback due to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2015, but most industry players are upbeat on this year's business outlook, a poll showed Tuesday.

According to the survey by the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, nearly half of 332 tour agencies said the tourism industry was stuck in a slump last year due to a sharp fall in foreign travelers since the MERS onslaught in late May.

The number of inbound travelers through November was 14.2 million, falling 7.6 percent on-year.

There were massive cancellations of flights and hotels in June and July, especially Chinese, which drove down tourism-related sales last year. 

The viral disease took its heaviest toll on casino operators, which mostly rely on foreign clients due to gaming bans on locals.

Amusement parks, tour agencies and luxury hotels also had a sluggish year.

The combined sales by private tour operators and travel agencies fell 6 percent in 2015 from the previous year, the KCTI said, without elaborating on the specific figure.

The tourism industry was expected to start 2016 on a weak note, but industry officials were optimistic about business throughout this year.

The business sentiment index for the tourism industry in the first quarter was 91, while the 2016 figure was 107.

A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists on future business conditions.

The tourism industry is forecast to grow 6.3 percent this year, more than double the 2016 economic growth prospect, the institute said. (Yonhap)