JEJU-DO < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

Jeju recorded the largest number of tourists in January, an encouraging sign for its efforts to attract tourists this year.

Jeju said on February 1 that it saw 660,171 visitors in January of 2012, up 20.9% from 545,891 in January of 2011.

The number of Korean tourists grew 12.2% to 585,853, while foreign tourists increased a whopping 213,4% to 74,318.

Among overseas tourists, the increasing number of Chinese tourists is outstanding recording 47,321 visitors, up 406.1% from a year earlier, boosted by Chinese big holiday of New Year.

Based on the number, Jeju's tourism profit is presumed to amount to 333.5 billion KRW in January of 2012, up 35.1% from 246.8 billion KRW in January of 2011. The rising profit boosted Jeju's regional economy.

On current trend, Jeju believes that it could achieve the goal of attracting 10 million tourists consisting of 8.5 million Koreans and 1.5 million foreigners this year.

Jeju plans to launch aggressive marketing to promote its planned large-scale events, such as Field Fire Festival and Music Island Concert that invites K-pop stars.

O Jeong-hun, section chief of tourism policy, said, "Behind the increase in the number of visitors to Jeju lie UNESCO's designation of Jeju as the World Natural Heritage and World Geopark, development of new tour courses including Olle Trail and expansion of airline and passenger ship routes," adding that "The dramatic increase in the number of tourists in January considered as the low season is a very encouraging sign."

Source Text

Source: Yonhap News (Feb. 1, 2012)

** This is an English translation of a Korean news article.