Understanding the Motel Business (모텔업) in Korea

Discussing specific industries in Korean requires knowing the right terminology. This guide focuses on “모텔업” (mo-tel-eop), the term for the motel business in Korea, providing essential vocabulary and phrases for understanding or discussing this sector.

Core Term

• Expression: 모텔업
  Pronunciation: mo-tel-eop
  Meaning: Motel business (The industry or operation of motels)

Related Business Terms

These terms are commonly used when discussing the motel business or related lodging industries in Korea.

• Expression: 숙박업
  Pronunciation: suk-bak-eop
  Meaning: Lodging industry / Accommodation business

• Expression: 모텔 사업
  Pronunciation: mo-tel sa-eop
  Meaning: Motel business venture/project

• Expression: 모텔 창업
  Pronunciation: mo-tel chang-eop
  Meaning: Starting a motel business

• Expression: 모텔 운영
  Pronunciation: mo-tel un-yeong
  Meaning: Motel operation / management

• Expression: 모텔 매매
  Pronunciation: mo-tel mae-mae
  Meaning: Motel sale and purchase

• Expression: 모텔 임대
  Pronunciation: mo-tel im-dae
  Meaning: Motel lease / rental

• Expression: 객실 가동률
  Pronunciation: gaek-sil ga-dong-ryul
  Meaning: Room occupancy rate

• Expression: 시설 관리
  Pronunciation: si-seol gwal-li
  Meaning: Facility management

• Expression: 수익성 분석
  Pronunciation: su-ik-seong bun-seok
  Meaning: Profitability analysis

• Expression: 경쟁 업체
  Pronunciation: gyeong-jaeng eop-che
  Meaning: Competing businesses / Competitors

• Expression: 입지 조건
  Pronunciation: ip-ji jo-geon
  Meaning: Location conditions

• Expression: 부동산 투자
  Pronunciation: bu-dong-san tu-ja
  Meaning: Real estate investment

Phrases for Motel Owners/Staff

Here are phrases relevant to those involved in operating a motel.

• Expression: 모텔을 운영하고 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: mo-tel-eul un-yeong-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I am running a motel.

• Expression: 체크인 도와드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: che-keu-in do-wa-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will help you with check-in.

• Expression: 예약 확인해 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ye-yak hwa-gin-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will confirm your reservation.

• Expression: 빈 방 있습니까?
  Pronunciation: bin bang it-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: Are there any vacant rooms? (Often asked by staff internally or to check system)

• Expression: 객실 청소가 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: gaek-sil cheong-so-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: The room needs cleaning.

• Expression: 손님께서 불편 사항을 말씀하셨습니다.
  Pronunciation: son-nim-kke-seo bul-pyeon sa-hang-eul mal-sseum-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The guest mentioned an inconvenience/complaint.

• Expression: 오늘 가동률이 좋습니다.
  Pronunciation: o-neul ga-dong-ryul-i jo-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The occupancy rate is good today.

• Expression: 시설 점검을 해야 합니다.
  Pronunciation: si-seol jeom-geom-eul hae-ya ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: We need to inspect the facilities.

• Expression: 야간 근무자를 구하고 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: ya-gan geun-mu-ja-reul gu-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: We are looking for a night shift worker.

• Expression: 이번 달 매출 목표를 달성했습니다.
  Pronunciation: i-beon dal mae-chul mok-pyo-reul dal-seong-haet-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: We achieved this month’s sales target.

• Expression: 주변 모텔들과 경쟁이 치열합니다.
  Pronunciation: ju-byeon mo-tel-deul-gwa gyeong-jaeng-i chi-yeol-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Competition with nearby motels is fierce.

• Expression: 새로운 마케팅 전략이 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: sae-ro-un ma-ke-ting jeol-lyak-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: We need a new marketing strategy.

Phrases for Customers/Inquirers

These phrases might be used by customers or individuals inquiring about the motel business.

• Expression: 모텔업에 투자하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: mo-tel-eop-e tu-ja-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I want to invest in the motel business.

• Expression: 괜찮은 모텔 매물이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eun mo-tel mae-mul-i in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any good motels for sale?

• Expression: 이 지역 모텔업 전망이 어떤가요?
  Pronunciation: i ji-yeok mo-tel-eop jeon-mang-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is the outlook for the motel business in this area?

• Expression: 모텔 창업 비용은 얼마나 드나요?
  Pronunciation: mo-tel chang-eop bi-yong-eun eol-ma-na deu-na-yo?
  Meaning: How much does it cost to start a motel business?

• Expression: 숙박 요금이 얼마인가요?
  Pronunciation: suk-bak yo-geum-i eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How much is the room rate?

• Expression: 대실도 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: dae-sil-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is short-term stay (day use) also possible?

• Expression: 근처에 있는 모텔을 추천해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e it-neun mo-tel-eul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please recommend a motel nearby.

• Expression: 예약하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: ye-yak-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I would like to make a reservation.

• Expression: 주차는 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: ju-cha-neun ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is parking available?

• Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password?

• Expression: 조식은 포함되어 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jo-sik-eun po-ham-doe-eo in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is breakfast included?

• Expression: 체크아웃 시간은 몇 시인가요?
  Pronunciation: che-keu-a-ut si-gan-eun myeot si-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What time is check-out?

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding the context of motels in Korea is helpful.

• Perception: Korean motels often differ from Western motels. While some are basic roadside accommodations, many are designed for couples seeking privacy and offer themed rooms or high-tech amenities. They are generally cleaner and more modern than the older Western motel stereotype might suggest.
• ‘대실’ (Dae-sil): Many motels offer ‘대실’ (dae-sil), which means renting a room for a few hours during the day, typically at a lower rate than an overnight stay. This is a common practice.
• Privacy: Privacy is a key feature. Check-in can sometimes be automated or very discreet. Parking areas might have curtains for cars to park behind, concealing license plates.
• Amenities: Competition often leads to motels offering impressive amenities like large TVs, jacuzzi tubs, computers, free snacks, and elaborate toiletries.
• Location: Motels are ubiquitous, found not only along highways but densely clustered in entertainment districts, near train stations, and even in residential areas. They serve various purposes, from traveler accommodation to short private stays.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Person A is consulting with Person B, a real estate agent specializing in commercial properties, about entering the motel business.
Roles:
* A: Prospective Investor (관심 투자자 – gwan-sim tu-ja-ja)
* B: Real Estate Agent (부동산 중개인 – bu-dong-san jung-gae-in)

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 요즘 모텔업에 관심이 생겨서 상담 좀 받고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, yo-jeum mo-tel-eop-e gwan-sim-i saeng-gyeo-seo sang-dam jom bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Hello, I’ve recently become interested in the motel business and would like some consultation.

• Expression: B: 네, 잘 오셨습니다. 모텔업은 입지 조건과 시설 관리가 매우 중요합니다. 어떤 지역을 생각하고 계신가요?
  Pronunciation: ne, jal o-syeot-seum-ni-da. mo-tel-eop-eun ip-ji jo-geon-gwa si-seol gwal-li-ga mae-u jung-yo-ham-ni-da. eo-tteon ji-yeok-eul saeng-gak-ha-go gye-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Yes, welcome. In the motel business, location conditions and facility management are very important. Which area are you considering?

• Expression: A: 수도권 근교 쪽으로 보고 있는데, 모텔 매매 시세나 수익성 분석 자료가 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: su-do-gwon geun-gyo jjok-eu-ro bo-go it-neun-de, mo-tel mae-mae si-se-na su-ik-seong bun-seok ja-ryo-ga it-seul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: I’m looking towards the outskirts of the metropolitan area. Do you have market price information for motel sales or profitability analysis data?

• Expression: B: 그럼요. 최근 거래된 모텔 정보와 예상 객실 가동률을 바탕으로 한 자료를 보여드리겠습니다. 모텔 운영 경험은 있으신가요?
  Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo. choe-geun geo-rae-doen mo-tel jeong-bo-wa ye-sang gaek-sil ga-dong-ryul-eul ba-tang-eu-ro han ja-ryo-reul bo-yeo-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. mo-tel un-yeong gyeong-heom-eun it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Of course. I will show you data based on recent motel transactions and projected room occupancy rates. Do you have any experience in motel operation?

• Expression: A: 아니요, 처음이라서요. 모텔 창업 절차나 주의할 점도 알려주시면 좋겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, cheo-eum-i-ra-seo-yo. mo-tel chang-eop jeol-cha-na ju-ui-hal jeom-do al-lyeo-ju-si-myeon jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: No, this is my first time. It would be great if you could also tell me about the motel start-up process and things to watch out for.

• Expression: B: 네, 숙박업 관련 규제나 인허가 과정, 그리고 경쟁 업체 분석까지 상세히 설명해 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, suk-bak-eop gwal-lyeon gyu-je-na in-heo-ga gwa-jeong, geu-ri-go gyeong-jaeng eop-che bun-seok-kka-ji sang-se-hi seol-myeong-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, I will explain in detail the regulations related to the lodging industry, the licensing process, and analysis of competing businesses.

Practice Tips

Familiarizing yourself with terms like 모텔업 (mo-tel-eop) is useful for understanding discussions about Korean business and real estate~! Try using these phrases when reading Korean news articles about the economy or watching dramas that might feature motel settings. Pay attention to how 숙박업 (suk-bak-eop) is used more broadly compared to the specific 모텔업 (mo-tel-eop). Good luck with your practice!