Jeju Tourism Satisfaction Plummets... "Travelers Are Going Abroad"

Disappointed by Overcharging... "I'm Going Abroad"

During the COVID-19 pandemic, tourists who visited Jeju Island have turned their attention to overseas travel as air routes have reopened. Those who visited Jeju during the pandemic expressed great disappointment with the excessive prices, and tourist satisfaction has been declining every year. In response, Jeju's hotel and tourism industries are offering various discount benefits to attract both domestic and foreign tourists again.

Disappointed by Excessive Prices... "We're Going Abroad"

The appearance of Jeju Airport on the 26th of last month. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the Jeju Tourism Association, the number of domestic tourists who visited Jeju last year was 13,811,068, the highest number since Jeju tourism began in 1962. This surge is attributed to the easing of social distancing and mask regulations. However, from January 1 to 31 this year, the total number of tourists visiting Jeju was 1,048,628, a 9.3% decrease compared to 1,156,091 during the same period last year.

This is because, with the reopening of air routes, more tourists are traveling to nearby Japan and Southeast Asia. In October last year, Japan allowed visa-free entry and individual free travel for foreign tourists, and flights to Southeast Asia increased. According to Korean Tourism Data Lab's survey on Korean tourism statistics, the number of Korean outbound tourists was ▲773,480 in October (a 521.8% increase compared to the same month the previous year) ▲1,041,431 in November (a 604.1% increase) ▲1,393,343 in December (an 899.3% increase).

Another reason cited is the disappointment of travelers who visited Jeju during the pandemic with the excessively high 'excessive prices' compared to other places. According to a recent survey by the Jeju Tourism Organization, domestic tourists' satisfaction with Jeju tourism (out of 5 points) has been declining yearly: ▲4.09 in 2019 ▲3.96 in 2020 ▲3.88 in 2021.

Jeju Strives to Attract Foreign Tourists

As Jeju shows relative weakness, Jeju hotels and tourism companies are working to attract inbound tourists. Jeju Dream Tower is extending operating hours of food and beverage outlets and expanding VIP charter flights for foreign tourists. The Aramman Casino at Jeju Shilla Hotel and the Mega Luck Casino at Lotte Hotel Jeju, which were closed due to COVID-19, reopened on the 1st of this month.

The integrated resort Jeju Shinhwa World launched a 'Members Day' promotion with discounts up to 57%, and Jeju Dream Tower also held an event during the Lunar New Year holiday offering a 50% discount on one night for consecutive night bookings.

Meanwhile, Forbes, in line with the global travel resurgence in the new year, selected the '2023 Destinations to Watch' last month in collaboration with the U.S. travel advisory company Ovation Network. Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island ranked first, followed by Marrakesh in Morocco in second place. Next were Big Sky in Montana, USA, Alentejo in Portugal, and the Svalbard Islands.