If You Have Money to Go to Jeju Island, Go to Japan? "Japan Is Twice as Expensive"

Serious Distorted Perceptions Among Consumers About Jeju Island Travel
Those Who Have Never Visited Jeju Island Have Even Worse Views

Haenyeo statue and Tamna offshore wind turbines.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

An analysis has revealed that consumers have a seriously distorted perception of traveling to Jeju Island. A representative misconception is the belief that traveling to Jeju Island is more expensive than traveling to Japan.

On the 30th, Consumer Insight, a travel research specialist organization, shared the results of a survey comparing consumer perceptions of traveling to Jeju Island and Japan to verify the truth behind the saying, "If you have money to go to Jeju Island, you might as well go to Japan," amid controversies over the high cost of traveling to Jeju.

The survey found that 88% of respondents had heard the phrase "If you have money to go to Jeju Island, you might as well go to Japan." Additionally, 83% thought it was possible, and 70% agreed with it. Responses such as "have never heard," "impossible," and "do not agree" accounted for only 3%, 9%, and 8%, respectively.

When asked to estimate travel costs for a 3-night, 4-day trip, respondents expected 860,000 KRW for Jeju Island and 1,102,000 KRW for Japan, with most anticipating that adding about 30% to the Jeju travel cost would cover a trip to Japan.

Notably, among respondents, those who had traveled to Jeju Island within the past year estimated travel costs at 788,000 KRW; those who had been there at least once before estimated 846,000 KRW; and those who had never been estimated 935,000 KRW.

However, actual travel expenses for Japan appeared to be about twice those for Jeju Island. According to Consumer Insight’s "Weekly Travel Behavior and Plan Survey" from January to October last year, the average spending of travelers to the two regions was 528,000 KRW for Jeju Island and 1,136,000 KRW for Japan, approximately 2.15 times higher.

Consumer Insight analyzed that the distortion in consumer perception regarding travel to Jeju Island is severe. They stated, "In reality, travel expenses for Japan are more than twice those for Jeju," and added, "This incorrect perception is more pronounced among people who have never traveled to Jeju Island."

They continued, "The rumor among those who have never been to Jeju Island that 'there is no cost difference between Japan and Jeju Island, and it is better to go to Japan with that money' is a joint product of the long-standing prejudice that 'Jeju Island is expensive' and the amplified reproduction of negative news." They also noted, "Given the wide and deeply rooted nature of this irrational perception, a short-term solution seems unlikely. A systematic and long-term approach is required."

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