About 130,000 Tourists Expected to Visit Jeju During March 1st Holiday
Flight Supply and Passenger Numbers Both Decrease Compared to Last Year
Jeju Tourism Association: "Flights Nearly Full Except for Premium Seats"
Domestic Tourist Numbers Continue to Decline in 2024
Approximately 130,000 tourists are expected to visit Jeju during the March 1st holiday period.
On the 28th, Yonhap News quoted the Jeju Tourism Association, reporting that the expected number of visitors arriving in Jeju from the start of tourist movements on that day until March 3rd is 130,000. This figure represents about a 9.6% decrease compared to 143,794 visitors during the same period last year.
By date, the numbers are 38,000 on the 28th, 36,000 on March 1st, 27,000 on March 2nd, and 29,000 on March 3rd.
There are a total of 785 domestic flight arrivals and departures, which is an 8.8% decrease compared to 861 flights last year. International flights also decreased by 2.5% to 78 flights from 80 flights last year. The number of domestic flight seats supplied is 147,922, down 9.8% from 163,917 seats last year.
The Jeju Tourism Association expects the average domestic flight occupancy rate during the March 1st holiday to be 82%. Last year, the average occupancy rate for domestic flights during the March 1st holiday was 85%.
The Jeju Tourism Association explained, "An 82% occupancy rate means flights are practically full except for premium seats," adding, "With the decrease in flights to and from Jeju, the number of holiday tourists is expected to decline."
Jeju once gained nationwide popularity as an ideal destination for domestic tourism and honeymoons during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, interest has waned as overseas travel has resumed, making it a so-called 'less cost-effective' travel destination.
According to the Jeju Tourism Association, the number of domestic tourists visiting Jeju in the first half of 2024 is around 5.89 million. This is nearly 500,000 fewer than the previous year and marks a three-year consecutive decline compared to 2022. The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is operating an emergency response committee to improve its image and revive travel satisfaction.
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