South Korea’s Jeju Island mulls entry fee for tourists amid environment, sustainability concerns: Report

Photo: A photo taken on May 10, 2019 shows a general view of the Seongsan Ichulbong (Sunrise Peak) volcanic rock formation on Jeju island. (Photo: AFP/Ed Jones). Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com

South Korea’s Jeju Island is considering imposing an entry fee for tourists in order to support environmental sustainability, The Korea Times reported on Tuesday (Apr 18).

The popular tourist destination has been mulling the measure after locals raised concerns about garbage and sewage increasing beyond the island’s management capacity.

If submitted and passed at the assembly, each visitor will have to pay an average of 8,170 won (US$6.20) a day, said the report.

The fees include 1,500 won per night for tourists, 5,000 won per day for those renting a car, 10,000 won for a minivan and 5 per cent of the cost of renting a bus.

The measure could send about 141 billion won to the government coffer after the first year, increasing to 154 billion won by the second year and 167 billion won the following year, said the report, citing the island’s government.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province previously tried to introduce such a fee in 2012 but was thwarted by objectors, according to The Korea Times.