Jeju Island, sometimes dubbed the “Hawaii of South Korea,” recently passed legislation aimed at encouraging better conduct from the island’s foreign tourists. Last fall, they produced an English/Spanish/Chinese guide for reducing rowdy behavior. This launch is a direct reaction to a series of viral occurrences. Now local residents fear that the way international tourists are rushing through their city. The guide is available in Korean, English, and Chinese. It defines enumerated violations that can result in the imposition of fines, as Jeju seeks to address the fiscal burdens of overtourism.
The new regulations specify the misdemeanors for which tourists may be fined. These range from smoking in non-designated areas to jaywalking, littering, and destroying the environment. Each violation results in a fine of 50,000 KRW, just under $35.77. Jeju Island has printed 8,000 copies of this handy, pocket-sized guide. This new effort is intended to improve awareness among visitors about our laws and cultural expectations.
Since the end of pandemic travel restrictions, Jeju Island has experienced an overwhelming surge in tourism. The boost of foreign visitors has jumped from 48,278 in 2021 to a projected 1.9 million by 2024. Last year, the island attracted more than 13 million visitors. This explosion of visitors brought it to become one of the most visited places in all of South Korea. The flight path between Seoul and Jeju is currently the busiest in the world. Over 13 million people ride this 1 hour and 15 min route annually!
Residents of South Korea’s Jeju Island are tired of having their home overrun by uncouth foreign tourists. Their fears escalated when a video went viral in April of this year that captured a tourist smoking on a party bus. This incident caused a wave of anger among South Korean commenters on social media, driving calls for better enforcement of Korea’s local ordinances.
“Deport and fine that person right now. If they don’t pay the fine, ban them from purchasing a flight ticket,” – comment under the viral Instagram video.
As overtourism increasingly has put pressure on local resources and community dynamics, Jeju’s residents have taken to the internet more and more to air their grievances. Ruben Santopietro, urbanist and director of the New York City Department of Transportation People First Initiative, stressed the negative impacts overtourism has had on local communities.
“A city where residents are not satisfied is a city that doesn’t work,” – Ruben Santopietro.
He further remarked on the identity crisis faced by cities plagued by excessive tourism:
“It loses its identity completely. Residents feel excluded and neighborhoods become touristic.” – Ruben Santopietro.
The new introduction of guidelines is just one pillar in Jeju’s larger plan to find harmony between fostering a healthy tourism industry and ensuring the prosperity of its residents. As the island continues to attract thousands of visitors seeking its famed sparkling blue waters, lush green tea fields, and the majestic Halla-san volcano, local authorities are keen to ensure that respect for their culture and environment remains a priority.
