Parasol Daily Rental Price Set at 20,000 Won
Hengsang Rental Price in Hamdeok Reduced from 60,000 Won to 30,000 Won
Rental prices for parasols and other items at some beaches in Jeju have been reduced starting from the 18th. This appears to be a measure to appease tourists amid rising criticism over high prices and exploitative practices in Jeju.
According to Jeju Province, from this day, the daily rental price for parasols at Hamdeok Beach has been lowered from 43,000 won to 20,000 won, a reduction of 23,000 won. At Hwasun Geummorae and Samyang Beaches, the price was reduced from 30,000 won to 20,000 won, a decrease of 10,000 won. The parasol rental price at Geumnung, Hyeopjae, Iho Tewoo, Gimnyeong, Woljeong, Sinyangseopji, and Pyoseon Beaches remains unchanged at 20,000 won. Among the 12 designated beaches in the province, the parasol rental price at Jungmun Saekdal Beach and Gwakji Beach remains at 30,000 won with no change.
The daily rental price for pyeongsang (traditional Korean floor beds) at Hamdeok Beach has been reduced from 60,000 won to 30,000 won. However, the price remains at around 60,000 won at the other 11 beaches.
Jeju Province held a meeting on the 17th with representatives from each village association managing the beaches to discuss the issue of lowering convenience facility rental fees in response to public opinion that the fees are too high. Jeong Jae-cheol, Director of the Jeju Province Marine and Fisheries Bureau, said, "We thank the villages and youth associations that actively cooperated with the policy to reduce convenience item fees at the beaches," adding, "We expect that the satisfaction and revisit rate of beach visitors will increase."
"I paid 60,000 won to rent a pyeongsang..."...Jeju Tourism 'Gapjil' Controversy
Recently, complaints about Jeju tourism have been continuously posted on online communities. In particular, on the 8th, a post claiming "A family of four was subjected to gapjil (abuse of power) at a famous Jeju beach" was uploaded to an online community.
The author claimed that they were unable to eat chicken they had ordered for delivery on the pyeongsang they rented for 60,000 won because of a "no outside food allowed" policy. Netizens who saw the post responded with comments such as "That is definitely gapjil," "Better to go to Japan or Southeast Asia than Jeju," and "You paid 60,000 won and can't even eat chicken?"
Meanwhile, the number of tourists visiting Jeju is declining. Due to the recovery of overseas travel and the weak yen (yen depreciation), the number of domestic tourists visiting Jeju from January to June was 5,953,000, a 7.6% decrease compared to 6,438,700 in the same period last year. Feeling the seriousness of the situation, Jeju recently formed and is operating the Jeju Tourism Innovation Emergency Committee.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
