Jeju Tourism Sustains Annual Visitor Levels as Growth in Foreign Arrivals Offsets Domestic Decline

Jeju Island maintained annual tourist numbers above thirteen million for a fourth consecutive year, supported largely by a sharp increase in foreign visitors, according to data released by the Jeju Tourism Association.

As of December 31, the cumulative number of visitors to Jeju last year was estimated at approximately 13.85 million, a slight increase compared with the same period a year earlier. Annual visitor totals have remained above thirteen million since 2022, despite significant fluctuations in travel demand.

Tourism to the island struggled during the first half of the year. Visitor numbers dropped sharply early on, with year-on-year declines continuing through spring. The downturn was attributed to a combination of factors, including the recovery of overseas travel demand, reduced flight capacity on key domestic routes, and the impact of high inflation. Domestic visitor numbers were particularly affected during this period.

The trend shifted during the summer, when tourist arrivals began to recover. From June onward, monthly visitor figures turned positive, with steady growth continuing through the second half of the year and into December. This rebound marked a clear contrast with the prolonged weakness seen earlier in the year.

While domestic tourism showed gradual signs of recovery, the overall stability in visitor numbers was largely driven by foreign tourists. International arrivals increased significantly, supported by expanded international flight operations and a broader recovery in global air travel demand. Growth in international passengers at Jeju International Airport also contributed to the island’s tourism rebound in the latter half of the year.

Last year, the number of domestic visitors declined compared with the previous year, while foreign arrivals rose by nearly eighteen percent. Cruise tourism also expanded, with cruise passenger numbers increasing notably year on year.

Jeju authorities view the sustained visitor total as a result of the strong recovery in the second half of the year. However, they also note that the contrasting trends between domestic and foreign tourism highlight structural challenges for the island’s tourism industry, including the need to encourage longer stays and adapt to changing travel patterns.