JEJU – Travel bookings to Jeju Island for the upcoming six-day long holiday weekend have surged as South Korea has begun relaxing its social distancing rules last week.
Hotel booking rates have also risen. Jeju Tourism Association reported that the average daily occupancy during this period stand at over 90% for Jeju Shilla Hotel and Lotte Hotel Jeju and between 70-80% for some other hotels.
Many South Koreas will be enjoying six days of holiday, starting from Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on Thursday (30 April), Labour Day on 1 May up till Children’s Day on 5 May.
Jeju Tourism Association has estimated that some 180,000 people are expected to visit the resort island over the extended holiday weekend.
Flight bookings between Seoul’s Gimpo and Jeju during this period have notched above 80%, with 93% of flight tickets booked on the first day of holidays, The Korea Herald reported.
Air fares on the Gimpo-Jeju route, which fell to around 20,000 won (US$16) during the coronavirus outbreak, has risen to over 100,000 won.
Hotel booking rates have also risen. Jeju Tourism Association reported that the average daily occupancy during this period stand at over 90% for Jeju Shilla Hotel and Lotte Hotel Jeju and between 70-80% for some other hotels.
Accommodations at the Jeju Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest are also fully booked from 30 April 30 through 5 May.
The association predicts that the number of Korean tourists visiting Jeju Island daily will hit 24,000 over the holidays, a rebound from the 13,000 to 16,000 on weekdays and weekends respectively.
Golf clubs have also been fully booked, with some clubs having to put golfers on the waitlist.
Jeju government plans to strengthen quarantine measures at its airport and seaports, with additional medical personnel and equipment at the airport.
Low-cost carrier Jeju Air said it will be conducting temperature screening for all passengers as it anticipates a travel surge over the extended holiday week.
Passengers with a temperature of above 37.5 degrees Celsius will be not allowed to board. The carrier advised passengers to buffer an additional 30 minutes due to the checks.