Chinese tourists pick Jeju as top Korean destination

The southern resort island of Jeju has been selected as the most sought after summer holiday destination in Korea by Chinese tourists, the Korea Tourism Organization said Tuesday.

The poll, conducted on Weibo, a Chinese equivalent to Twitter, from May 10 to 24, involved 1,148 people who are members of the KTO micro-blogging website.

The poll found 374 people preferred Jeju Island as a holiday spot, followed by Seoul and Busan. Other places mentioned by the respondents include Yeosu, Mokpo, Gwangju and the theme park Everland. 

Visa-free stays for Chinese tourists and a clean natural environment with a warm climate were the major reasons for the island’s popularity, according to the KTO.

Chinese people need a visa to visit other parts of South Korea.

Most Chinese travelers enjoy relaxing at resorts and hotels and shopping, the tourism organization said.

About 222,000 Chinese tourists arrived in Jeju in 2011, up by 18 percent from the previous year, according to the KTO. It expects to have some 257,000 Chinese tourists this year.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)