Jeju Island: A Rising Star in 2024 Tourism
Jeju Island, South Korea’s renowned resort destination, is set to experience a significant boost in international tourism in 2024, primarily driven by expanded air and sea connections. The upcoming year will witness an impressive increase in the number of international flights to the island, rising from a mere 20 during the winter season of 2022 to an expected 148 per week in January 2024.
Spring Airlines Leading the Way
China’s Spring Airlines is at the forefront of this expansion, launching multiple weekly flights connecting Jeju with key Chinese cities. Starting this month, the airline has inaugurated seven weekly round trips to Beijing and three to Nanjing. Additionally, the frequency of flights to Hangzhou will be increased to seven trips per week. Spring Airlines is also set to resume chartered flights seven times a week, further enhancing connectivity.
Broader Air Travel Enhancements
Jeju Air and Eastar Jet are also contributing to the increased accessibility of Jeju Island. Jeju Air will initiate seven weekly flights between Jeju and Beijing, while Eastar Jet will begin operating three flights per week between Jeju and Taipei. Moreover, chartered flights to Macau will resume twice a week, adding more options for travelers.
Cruise Tourism on the Rise
Cruise tourism is poised for a comeback, with Jeju Island planning to host 204 cruise trips in 2024, more than doubling this year’s count. This development is indicative of the growing popularity of Jeju Island as a cruise destination.
A Magnet for Chinese Travelers
The chartered flights connecting Jeju with various Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Ningbo, Tsingtao, and Jinan, as well as Taiwan’s Taipei and Kaohsiung, are scheduled to resume by March next year. This strategic move is expected to attract more travelers from China and neighboring Chinese-speaking countries, further bolstering Jeju Island’s position as a key tourist destination in Asia.
In summary, Jeju Island is gearing up for a landmark year in 2024, with significantly enhanced air and sea routes set to make it more accessible than ever to international tourists. This surge in connectivity, led by carriers like Spring Airlines, is a testament to the island’s growing appeal as a global tourist hotspot.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ChinaTravelNews, The Korea Times, and ChinaTravelNews – Daily Brief.