Well known for natural wonders, including sand beaches, waterfalls and national parks, Jeju Island in the Korea Strait has achieved iconic status among nature lovers from countries across the world.

Visa-free policies for 187 nationalities allow effortless access to Jeju and have led to widespread expectation of an increase in tourism on the island.

“Jeju is a very beautiful and clean island; it has been recognised as a natural science area by UNESCO. The natural environment is our most valuable asset. We will keep it clean so we can provide more travel packages to attract more tourists,” said Jeju governor Won Hee Ryong during a media event entitled “Dreaming together of a better Jeju” in Jeju Island, South Korea, on Saturday.

Journalists and bloggers from five Asian countries, namely China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, attended the event jointly held by the Jeju special self-governing provincial administration and the Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO).

According to JTO official data, the number of foreign tourists visiting Jeju Island amounted to 2.8 million in 2014, most of which were from China.

Increased infrastructure in the tourism sector, such as tourist accommodation and direct flight services, will likely follow, Won believes.

He admits that limited direct flight services remain the main obstacle to attracting tourists from Asia and thus, Jeju authorities are working hard to solve the problem.

“Our biggest problem is airline services. Some countries don’t have enough direct airline services to Jeju. [Visitors] have to first fly to Incheon International Airport,” said Won.

“We will strengthen coordination and cooperation with related authorities to effectively address this challenge,” he went on.

Expanding infrastructure, accommodation and attractive tourism packages will hopefully help attract more Asian tourists, some of whom have been heavily influenced by Hallyu (the Korean wave), which has seen the growing popularity of South Korean modern arts, such as television dramas, fashion and K-pop music.

Often compared to Hawaii, Jeju relies on natural attractions to drive tourism. On Nov. 12, 2011, Jeju Island was selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, alongside Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Prior to that, Jeju was acknowledged as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2002 and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2007. In 2010 the island was made a member of the UNESCO World Geoparks Network.

The first World Natural Heritage site in South Korea, the Jeju volcanic island and lava tubes, which comprise three areas – Mount Halla Natural Reserve, Geomunoreum Lava Tube System and Seongsan Ilchubong Tuff Cone – give visitors beautiful views of rock cliffs, pine forests and ancient volcanic structures.

“Diverse natural attractions in a country with four different seasons are the first things that many tourists explore and enjoy,” JTO marketing department officer Lee Sun Hong said.

The wide variety of museums and entertainment options available on the island include the Jeju National Museum, the Jeju Folklore Museum, the DaVinci Museum, traditional villages and markets, the world’s largest optical illusion theme park, named Alive Museum, and restaurants offering traditional local cuisine.

Well known for natural wonders, including sand beaches, waterfalls and national parks, Jeju Island in the Korea Strait has achieved iconic status among nature lovers from countries across the world.

Visa-free policies for 187 nationalities allow effortless access to Jeju and have led to widespread expectation of an increase in tourism on the island.

'€œJeju is a very beautiful and clean island; it has been recognised as a natural science area by UNESCO. The natural environment is our most valuable asset. We will keep it clean so we can provide more travel packages to attract more tourists,'€ said Jeju governor Won Hee Ryong during a media event entitled '€œDreaming together of a better Jeju'€ in Jeju Island, South Korea, on Saturday.

Journalists and bloggers from five Asian countries, namely China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, attended the event jointly held by the Jeju special self-governing provincial administration and the Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO).

According to JTO official data, the number of foreign tourists visiting Jeju Island amounted to 2.8 million in 2014, most of which were from China.

Increased infrastructure in the tourism sector, such as tourist accommodation and direct flight services, will likely follow, Won believes.

He admits that limited direct flight services remain the main obstacle to attracting tourists from Asia and thus, Jeju authorities are working hard to solve the problem.

'€œOur biggest problem is airline services. Some countries don'€™t have enough direct airline services to Jeju. [Visitors] have to first fly to Incheon International Airport,'€ said Won.

'€œWe will strengthen coordination and cooperation with related authorities to effectively address this challenge,'€ he went on.

Expanding infrastructure, accommodation and attractive tourism packages will hopefully help attract more Asian tourists, some of whom have been heavily influenced by Hallyu (the Korean wave), which has seen the growing popularity of South Korean modern arts, such as television dramas, fashion and K-pop music.

Often compared to Hawaii, Jeju relies on natural attractions to drive tourism. On Nov. 12, 2011, Jeju Island was selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, alongside Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Prior to that, Jeju was acknowledged as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2002 and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2007. In 2010 the island was made a member of the UNESCO World Geoparks Network.

The first World Natural Heritage site in South Korea, the Jeju volcanic island and lava tubes, which comprise three areas '€“ Mount Halla Natural Reserve, Geomunoreum Lava Tube System and Seongsan Ilchubong Tuff Cone '€“ give visitors beautiful views of rock cliffs, pine forests and ancient volcanic structures.

'€œDiverse natural attractions in a country with four different seasons are the first things that many tourists explore and enjoy,'€ JTO marketing department officer Lee Sun Hong said.

The wide variety of museums and entertainment options available on the island include the Jeju National Museum, the Jeju Folklore Museum, the DaVinci Museum, traditional villages and markets, the world'€™s largest optical illusion theme park, named Alive Museum, and restaurants offering traditional local cuisine.