On April 17, The Korea Times reported that, facing the pressure of overtourism on the environment of Korea's resort island paradise, the Jeju Island government has proposed a plan to charge tourists when they come here.
According to the local government's fee plan, when coming to Jeju Island, tourists will have to pay an average of 8,170 won (about 145,000 VND) per day. This includes the cost of staying on the island of 1,500 won (27,000 VND) per night. Guests renting a 4-seater car will be charged an additional 5,000 won (89,000 VND), and renting a 5-7-seater car will be charged 10,000 won (177,000 VND) per day. Tourists renting a bus will be charged 5% of the rental fee.
If passed by the National Assembly, the fees would add 141 billion won to the government budget after the first year and 167 billion won in the second year, according to estimates cited in a report by the Jeju government.
Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo, Jeju Island has a garbage problem.garbage
This popular South Korean tourist destination has long been considering measures since locals became concerned about the consequences of the tourism boom, including trash and wastewater that increasingly exceeds the island's capacity to manage.
Jeju authorities attempted to introduce an entrance fee for visitors in 2012, but faced strong opposition. However, the ongoing overtourism situation has prevented the island's authorities and residents from abandoning the plan to charge visitors.
According to the Jeju Tourism Association, 13.68 million people visited the island from January 1, 2022, to December 25, 2022, a 16% increase from the same period in 2021. More than 99% of these were domestic tourists due to international travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For years, the island has been plagued by an influx of tourists, with residents pushing the government to consider introducing a tourist fee.
Last August, the South Korean government asked the Korea Environment Institute, a state-run research firm, to study the feasibility of charging an entrance fee to the island. The study will be completed in August, and the government plans to propose a bill to the National Assembly this year. Last week, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun told the provincial assembly that the introduction of the fee is “being carefully planned” to gain support from people across South Korea.
The Jeju governor also said the process “will not be a pretty picture” and “will not be easy.” He is also closely monitoring the reactions from the central government, the National Assembly, private businesses and the media to the measure. The Jeju Provincial Council has discussed measures to preserve the island’s biodiversity and manage the increase in waste, both of which are a result of the year-round increase in tourists from around the world. The Jeju Provincial Council is also considering amending three related laws to increase the island’s budget and create stronger laws for more responsible tourism.
Jeju's move comes as Hawaii lawmakers are considering charging visitors a $40 to $50 “green fee” to ease the impact of overcrowding and help restore the island's natural environment.
