JEJU-DO < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

(JEJU=Yonhap News) The number of tourists visiting Jeju, Korea's southern resort island, exceeded 10 million in the shortest period on record.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Tourism Association announced that the number of visitors totaled 9,983,801 as of Aug 17 and finally broke the 10 million mark with 40,000 visitors coming to the island during the day.

The 10 million record has been reached 44 days earlier than last year.

The number of domestic travelers was 7,683,944, up 15.3% compared to last year, and foreign tourists amounted to 2,299,857, increased by 49.1% year-on-year.

About 8.8 million visitors came to Jeju by air while 1.2 million traveled by ships or cruises.

UNESCO's recognition and enhanced transportation along with promotion campaigns helped draw more tourists, according to the Jeju municipality.

Jeju was recognized as the Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2010, following designation as the World Heritage Site in 2002 and Biosphere Reserve in 2007.

Wider availability of low-cost flights also made Jeju a more attractive destination. Trekking courses along the seashore, forest surrounding the island, various festivals and experience programs helped lure more visitors as well.

The number of foreign visitors jumped this year as last year's Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which took a toll on the island's tourism, was cleared. Growing number of group or individual foreign tourists are using domestic airlines or cruises, according to the tally. Among them, the number of Chinese tourists soared 86.8% to 1.95 million.

koss@yna.co.kr

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