The Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Tourism Association on July 10 said 149,908 foreign tourists visited Jeju Island this year from January to May. Shown are tourists from Shanghai, China, in March receiving souvenirs as gifts at Jeju International Airport after arriving in Jeju. (Jeju Tourism Organization)
By Yun Dahee
Foreign tourists are again a common sight on Jeju Island with the virtual end of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Tourism Association, which released data on tourist arrivals on the island this year, on July 10 said an estimated 149,908 visitors from abroad went to Jeju from January to May, an eight-fold jump from 18,568 over the same period last year.
By country, China sent the most travelers to the island with 43,502, up a whopping 1,928.1% year on year, followed by Taiwan with 22,522, Thailand 18,832, Singapore 13,487 and Japan 12,751.
The number of visitors from the U.S. was 9,073, Malaysia 4,469, Hong Kong 3,251, Indonesia 1,777, Vietnam 1,546, other Asian countries 8,441 and other Western states 10,257.
Korean media including Yonhap News said the skyrocketing number of overseas tourists was thanks to the lifting of quarantine measures and resumption of direct flights.
daheeyun@korea.kr
