"Received 30,000 Won Per Person"... The Incentive Behind the Movement of 110,000 Tourists

2,600 Cases and 112,000 Beneficiaries Last Year
Immediate Distribution of Local Currency... Boosting Both Tourism and Local Businesses
Signs of Group Tourism Recovery... Policy Effect Confirmed

Jeju Province is seeking to revitalize its tourism sector by implementing an incentive policy that provides group tourists with local currency worth 30,000 won per person immediately upon arrival at the airport. Jeju, which once saw a decline in domestic tourism demand due to controversies over excessive pricing, is now showing signs of recovery by offering tangible benefits. Based on last year’s results, Jeju plans to continue this incentive program without interruption throughout this year.

Jeju Airport. Yonhap News

According to Jeju Province on January 9, a total of approximately 2,600 groups, or 112,000 group tourists, visited Jeju last year through the group tourist incentive support program. Jeju Province analyzed that these group tourist incentives played a key role in shifting the trends of the travel market. The reduction in travel costs, combined with the immediate benefits experienced upon arrival in Jeju, are seen as factors that stimulated the recovery in demand.

From Alumni Gatherings to School Trips... Driving the Recovery of Group Tourism

By type, alumni, club, and sports groups accounted for the largest share with 51,612 people (1,600 groups), followed by school trips with 33,580 people (254 groups), and general groups organized by travel agencies with 19,093 people (577 groups). In addition, there were 3,858 people in groups using ferry routes, 3,397 in groups with Jeju Province agreements, and 569 in sisterhood groups.

Jeju Province provides differentiated incentives based on group type and size. Alumni, club, and sports groups with 15 or more members are eligible once per year, agreement groups have no limit on the number of times, and sisterhood groups can receive support up to twice a year. Ferry route groups with 10 or more members are eligible for support up to a maximum of 3 million won per company or group.

Donghwa Village, Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju. Photo by Yonhap News

General groups must have at least 10 members and visit at least two paid tourist attractions to qualify, with a maximum of 3.5 million won provided per travel agency. For school trips, each school can receive up to 3.5 million won annually, with up to 1 million won per instance for vehicle rental or hiring safety personnel.

Immediate Distribution of 'Local Currency'... Reducing Travel Costs and Encouraging Local Spending

The core of the incentive is the method of distribution. The support is provided not in cash, but as Jeju’s local currency, ‘Tamna Pay’. Upon arrival in Jeju, tourists can receive the currency immediately at the Jeju Comprehensive Tourism Information Center in Jeju International Airport by presenting proof such as their boarding pass. Advance application is required at least seven days before the trip.

Jeju Province believes that this approach not only reduces the perceived cost for tourists but also ensures that the support funds naturally flow into local commercial districts, traditional markets, and small businesses. As group tourist spending spreads across accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, and tourist attractions, the province expects a trickle-down effect on the local economy.

Signs of Tourism Recovery Confirmed... Strengthening Through Policy Integration

Signs of recovery are evident in actual tourism indicators. Last year, the total number of tourists visiting Jeju reached 13,846,961, a 0.6% increase from the previous year. While the number of domestic tourists decreased by 2.2% to 11,602,792, a recovery trend was observed in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the number of foreign tourists increased by 17.7% to 2,244,169.

Jeju Airport. Yonhap News

This year, Jeju Province plans to link the group tourism incentive program with campaigns such as the ‘2026 The Jeju Four Seasons Year of Visit’, Jeju Travel Week, and popup promotions. This strategy goes beyond short-term measures, aiming for a structural recovery in tourism demand.

Kim Yangbo, Director General of Tourism Exchange at Jeju Province, stated, "Last year’s figures confirmed the effectiveness of our tourism recovery efforts, and this year we will focus our administrative resources on ensuring this leads to stable growth."