[Exclusive] Are Tourists Visiting Jeju Island Golf Courses Being Taken Advantage Of?

Growing Discontent Over Increasing Fare Gap Between Residents and Others
'Green Fee Gap' Reaches 70,000~80,000 Won Since COVID-19
"Comprehensive Review of Golf Course Operation System Needed"

A golfer is preparing for a tee shot at a golf course in Jeju Island. Photo by Park Chang-won

Since COVID-19, golf courses in Jeju Island that have gained great popularity among domestic golfers are facing increasing complaints from users as the fee system for tourists is set higher than that for local residents. In some golf courses, the difference can be as much as 70,000 to 80,000 KRW, leading tourists to complain that they are being taken advantage of.

According to Jeju Province, local golf courses, and the golf travel industry on the 15th, the price gap between tourists and locals at Jeju golf courses was around 10,000 to 20,000 KRW before COVID-19, but this difference has been rapidly increasing during the pandemic.

Recently, during peak seasons, the difference in fees can reach as much as 70,000 to 80,000 KRW depending on the golf course, causing more golfers to turn to overseas destinations.

Looking at the trend of golf course visitors in Jeju this year as announced by Jeju Province, the number of visitors from outside Jeju decreased by 8.2% compared to the previous year, while the number of local residents increased by 2.8%. In April alone, tourists decreased by 4%, whereas local residents increased by 18%, showing a rising trend in local usage.

The declining usage rate of golf courses by tourists is due to the significantly higher green fees charged to them compared to locals. Golfers have been posting critical comments on reservation apps and Jeju-based golf communities, saying things like "Are tourists just easy targets?" and "I’m so upset that I won’t go to Jeju for golf anymore."

The local golf industry cites structural limitations, such as high dependence on reservation systems and travel agencies, as reasons why golf courses cannot lower their fees despite the situation.

Due to Jeju’s island characteristics, flight, accommodation, and golf course reservations are made simultaneously. Tee times are created six months in advance and allocated to travel agencies. Once group bookings are made, reservations are usually confirmed three months prior. If tee times created six months ahead are not consumed on time or reservations are canceled, additional discounted rates are applied and offered to local residents.

The golf course industry is not opposed to lowering green fees. However, they express difficulties because arbitrarily reducing fees set six months in advance for tourists could disrupt the golf travel agency ecosystem.

This situation poses a significant obstacle to Jeju’s tourism industry and revenue. There is growing resentment among domestic tourists, who, despite being Korean nationals, face discriminatory treatment with higher fees than locals, leading them to prefer going abroad. Moreover, this year’s demand forecast for golf tourists in Jeju has missed the mark, causing a sharp decline in tourist numbers compared to previous years and severely impacting Jeju’s tourism income. There are also criticisms that golf courses have not taken any initiatives or strategies to attract tourists.

Seo Cheon-beom, director of the Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute, pointed out, “I hope Jeju golf courses try some marketing efforts to attract customers before asking for government support. When you visit each golf course’s website, there is no sign of any marketing efforts to overcome management difficulties or any promotions to attract tourists.”

A Jeju official said, “Jeju tourism is generally stagnating due to rising prices and overcharging issues. The decrease in tourists visiting golf courses may be partly due to relatively high fees, but more importantly, it seems necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of the golf course operation system.”

The official added, “Regarding golf course-related complaints, many requests are for more discounts for Jeju residents and better reservation management. Complaints about expensive green fees for tourists are almost nonexistent. There is also a need to improve the perception of locals who only emphasize their own convenience.”