"Green Fee Discounts Cut Off" Why Golfers Turned Away from Jeju Island and Others

As of June this year, 19% decrease in visitors compared to last year
Ignoring residents and focusing on 'profitable' tourists
"Considering community reinvestment for sustainable growth"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] An unusual trend is being detected in the Jeju Island golf market.

A golf course in Jeju Island. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeju's golf courses enjoyed a 'record-breaking boom' as foreign travel was restricted due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent data shows a gradual decline in visitors. In particular, visits from local residents have significantly decreased. This is attributed to continuously rising fees while discounts and benefits previously offered to residents have been reduced.

In January, a rosy future was envisioned, but by June, it had 'plummeted'

According to Jeju Island on the 26th, the number of visitors to golf courses in Jeju during the first half of this year was 1,465,655, a 4.4% increase compared to 1,404,537 during the same period last year. Some predicted that this year's cumulative figure would far surpass last year's record of 2.89 million.

However, looking at the monthly trend, the situation changes. Visitors, which had been increasing compared to the previous year until April, began to decline from May. In May, the number of visitors was 305,405, down 9.2% from 336,501 in the same month last year. In June, the number dropped from 313,220 to 264,156, expanding the decline to 15.7%.

Especially, the decrease among local residents was significant. The decline in visitors was 3.9% (97,961 → 94,133) in April, 3.2% (108,247 → 104,772) in May, and surged to 19.0% (115,380 → 93,432) in June.

As of January this year, the number of visitors to Jeju golf courses was 193,897, nearly double the 99,153 recorded in January last year. This sharp downward curve appeared in just five months. This is why there are voices suggesting that golfers' perspectives on Jeju are becoming unfavorable.

Residents' benefits ignored as unprofitable... Fee hikes doubled

Many golf courses in Jeju took advantage of the 'COVID-19 special' to continuously raise fees while gradually reducing benefits offered to residents.

Earlier, in July last year, Jeju conducted a survey on fees at 30 golf courses in the province. At that time, the average weekday green fee for non-resident visitors was 136,870 KRW, a 10.9% increase from 123,456 KRW in 2020. During the same period, residents' fees rose 27.0%, from 87,323 KRW to 110,897 KRW.

The rate of fee increase for residents is more than double that for out-of-town tourists. This is attributed to the significant reduction or elimination of discounts previously offered to residents. As COVID-19 restrictions tightened, more people chose Jeju over overseas travel, and golf courses neglected residents who were considered 'unprofitable.'

Some public golf courses even avoided resident reservations that included discounts during this unexpected boom. They prioritized reservations from tourists, which sparked public outrage once revealed. The Jeju Provincial Council intervened, amending ordinances and withdrawing tax benefits previously applied to public golf courses.

Fees keep rising... "Golf courses, stop rowing the boat"

Despite this, fee increases continue. Recently, weekday green fees at member-based golf courses in Jeju are around 180,000 KRW, and weekend fees are in the 220,000 KRW range. Public golf courses have also raised weekday fees to about 140,000 KRW and weekend fees to around 170,000 KRW.

Caddie fees have risen to levels comparable to the metropolitan area. Starting with Phinix GC, Lotte Skyhill Jeju CC, and Blackstone Jeju CC (all member-based), caddie fees were raised to 150,000 KRW this month. Saint Four CC (public course) plans to increase its current 130,000 KRW caddie fee to 150,000 KRW next month.

Golfers' dissatisfaction is also rising. Mr. Ko (39), a resident of Seogwipo City, Jeju, said, "Even if golf popularity cools, residents are the ones who consistently use the golf courses. Watching the sneaky act of quietly reducing discounts feels like a betrayal."

A tourism industry official said, "While green fees at Jeju golf courses continue to rise, the lifting of quarantine measures is causing tourism demand to shift overseas. If green fees keep getting more expensive and customer backlash continues, there is a risk of accelerating customer attrition."

"For regional coexistence... Consider lowering golf course fees"

Within Jeju, there are calls for coexistence with the local community to ensure the sustainable growth of the local golf industry.

A research report published last month by the Jeju Research Institute also points out these issues. According to a survey of 343 local golf course users, 31.5% identified 'reduction of resident discounts' as the biggest problem. This was followed by increased golf costs (29.7%) and avoidance of resident reservations (25.4%).

Regarding inappropriate fees at local golf courses, 59.2% answered 'green fees,' followed by cart fees (18.1%) and caddie fees (11.4%). When comparing before and after COVID-19, 63.0% responded that their number of rounds had 'decreased,' while only 6.7% said it had 'increased.'

A representative from the Jeju Research Institute advised, "Sustainable golf tourism demand can be created when there is coexistence with the local community. Resolving reverse discrimination against residents and introducing a resident reservation quota system would also be helpful."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.