Golf Industry Asia
Golf Industry Asia

KOREA: Jeju Golf in Crisis: Visitor Numbers Drop for Fourth Straight Year

19 January, 2026

The post-pandemic "golf boom" in Jeju Province has officially chilled, as official data released on January 19th confirms that visitor numbers have declined for the fourth consecutive year.

Once a primary beneficiary of restricted international travel, Jeju’s golf industry is now struggling to retain both local enthusiasts and domestic tourists who are increasingly seeking more affordable alternatives abroad.

The Data: A Sharp Downward Trajectory

According to figures released by Jeju Province, the total number of golf course visitors in 2025 was 2,198,503. This represents a 6.4% decrease (149,207 people) from the 2,347,710 recorded in 2024.

The decline was felt across all demographics:

  • Local Residents: Visits fell by 6.2% to 977,065.
  • Outside Visitors & Foreigners: Decreased by 6.5% to 1,221,338.

While there were temporary rebounds in June and November of last year, they were not enough to offset the broader cooling of the market. After peaking at nearly 2.9 million visitors in 2021, the industry has seen a steady retreat back toward pre-pandemic levels.

Year Total Visitors Trend
2021 2,898,742 Peak Pandemic Boom
2022 2,822,395 -2.6%
2023 2,415,970 -14.4%
2024 2,347,710 -2.8%
2025 2,198,503 -6.4%
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