The demand for pet-friendly travel continues to increase rapidly, with a cumulative total of 87,624 pets transported on domestic flights in the first three quarters of this year. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
JEJU, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – With the number of South Korean pet owners rapidly approaching the 15 million milestone, Jeju Island’s tourism industry is strategically positioning itself to cater to the needs of this burgeoning population.
Jeju Shinhwa World recently formalized an alliance with BellaBell Farm, a local pet healthcare company, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership aims to invigorate the pet business within Jeju, offering specialized services for travelers accompanied by their four-legged companions. This collaborative effort also includes the exploration and development of diverse tourism content.
Last October, Jeju Shinhwa World took a significant step by introducing pet-friendly rooms and unveiling the “Dear My Petmily” package. This exclusive package incorporates premium snacks from BellaBell Farm and admission tickets to a specially designed pet-friendly cultural space. The response from pet owners has been overwhelmingly positive.
In a joint initiative, Jeju Island and the Jeju Tourism Organization successfully concluded the “Honjeo-opsogae” project, presenting information on 307 pet-friendly facilities through an e-book. Additionally, a survey was conducted in Jeju villages to identify the “Top 5 Pet-Friendly Cafés,” a selection made by local residents. These establishments have been showcased through various online promotional channels.
Jeju Island and the Jeju Tourism Organization successfully concluded the “Honjeo-opsogae” project. (Image courtesy of Jeju Tourism Organization)
Jeju made history in October by hosting its inaugural pet industry expo, underlining the island’s commitment to embracing the ongoing surge in pet ownership.
The Korea Tourism Organization collaborated with the pet travel platform “Pet Life” and the regional airline Hi Air in March. This collaboration resulted in the launch of the “Jeju Pet-Exclusive Charter Flight” (DangDangJeju Charter Flight).
A recent report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport revealed a staggering increase in domestic pet transportation volume, reaching 124,562 animals in the past year. This marks more than a twofold surge compared to 2019, combining domestic and international flights, which recorded 67,000 animals just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The demand for pet-friendly travel continues to increase rapidly, with a cumulative total of 87,624 pets transported on domestic flights in the first three quarters of this year.
Following a survey conducted last month of 1,000 adult men and women with plans for a Jeju trip involving their pets, the Jeju Tourism Organization proposed improvements in transportation options and an increase in the number of pet-friendly establishments. These measures aim to elevate the satisfaction levels of pet owners embarking on Jeju adventures.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
