Already Up Fourfold, 'Set to Rise Again in June'... "Too Scared to Go" Emergency in Jeju, 3.15 Billion Won Injected

Domestic Airline Fuel Surcharges Jump 4.4 Times
Jeju Province Responds with Discounts and Local Currency Incentives

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

Concerns are mounting within the local tourism industry in Jeju as the number of domestic tourists declines, affected by high oil prices due to the Middle East crisis and a reduction in flight operations.

According to the Jeju Tourism Association on May 11, the total number of tourists visiting Jeju as of May 10 was provisionally tallied at 391,212. This represents a 4.2% decrease compared to the same period last year.

In particular, a total of 308,994 domestic tourists visited Jeju this month, which is down by 8.1% from the same period last year.

The number of foreign tourists reached 82,218, an increase of 13.5% year-on-year, but this growth was not enough to offset the decline in domestic visitor numbers.

Industry experts attribute this trend to a significant increase in domestic airfare fuel surcharges due to high oil prices, as well as a reduction in available flight seats.

From this month, the domestic fuel surcharge has risen from 7,700 won to 34,100 won, an increase of more than 4.4 times. For a round-trip ticket to Jeju, the fuel surcharge alone now reaches approximately 70,000 won, increasing the burden on travelers.

Furthermore, the domestic fuel surcharge is scheduled to rise again to 35,200 won in June.

The reduction in flight supply is also a concern. According to this year's summer schedule, domestic flights departing from Jeju are set to operate 1,534 times per week, which is 24 fewer flights per week compared to last year, with more than 1,000 seats cut from total capacity.

With the peak summer vacation season approaching, the combination of higher domestic airfares, fewer Jeju-bound routes, and increased fuel costs raises the possibility that Jeju tourism will continue to contract.

In response, Jeju Province has allocated an emergency budget of 3.15 billion won to help revitalize the Jeju tourism market. Starting in early June, tourists visiting Jeju by air and staying for at least two nights will receive the regional currency "Tamna Pay." The province is also actively working to attract more visitors by providing discounts on accommodation and car rentals.

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