There are only 18 international standard hotels in Seoul and only a handful of others in the rest of the country, specifically in Pusan and Cheju. Nearly all are upscaled properties. Of these, only one has been built since 1988 (Ritz-Carlton), and half were constructed prior to 1980.The supply of international midscale hotels is virtually non-existent yet the potential demand is enormous. A range of domestic hotels, usually independently operated and branded, that generally would fail to meet the product and service standards of any international brand, meets the demand. The consumer, therefore, effectively has no choice but to stay in these hotels.

<18 international standard hotels in Korea>