The Impact of Tourism on Jeju Culture
Jeju Island, also known as the Hawaii of South Korea, has received considerable boost in tourism within the last few decades. As a result of this increased influx of tourists, the island has received both benefits and costs in terms of its culture and physical environment.
Cultural Erosion and Overcommercialization
It can be, therefore, argued that tourism has had a positive impact on Jeju’s economy. Tourism has brought the establishment of many hotels, restaurants, and other attractions for tourists, thus creating employment for the people and boosting other related businesses. Also, cultural tourism has been a major factor in promoting Jeju’s heritage culture. Festivals, traditional markets, and cultural performances serve as a pull factor for tourists who want to learn and experience the unique culture of Jeju, thus helping in the promotion and sustenance of Jeju culture (Korea Trip Guide).
Environmental and Social Impacts
However, the rapid development caused by tourism has also raised issues such as the loss of cultural identity and overscale commercialization. Local folklore or historical landmarks are changed or developed for tourist consumption, which, in a way, lessens the impact of their originality. For instance, Woljeong, which is a small fishery village, experienced rapid construction and development of properties for tourism, leading to increased property values and eviction of the original inhabitants. This change has commercialized the village by turning it into a place that mostly caters to tourists and not the culture of the village (The Daily Texan).
Sustainable Tourism Efforts
Another issue that affect Jeju through tourism is the environmental aspect. In general, the growth of tourism has been followed by such negative consequences as littering, pollution, and overloading of the local supply. Tourist attractions pose challenges such as overcrowding that may lead to degradation of natural features and standard living of people. Local people are the main victims of these negative consequences as they are forced to endure the impacts of waste production and environmental pollution caused by tourists (MDPI).
Conclusion
On the one hand, tourism has introduced economic development and awareness of Jeju’s cultural assets to the world; on the other hand, it has become a major threat to cultural conservation and ecological integrity. Sustaining these aspects involves a continuous social interaction between the local people, government and the tourist to ensure that Jeju’s cultural and physical endowment is preserved for the future generations.
References
“Collaboration for Community-Based Cultural Sustainability in Island Tourism Development: A Case in Korea.” MDPI, www.mdpi.com.
“Study reveals negative impacts of tourism on Jeju island.” The Daily Texan, www.dailytexanonline.com.
“Cultural Exploration around Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, Jeju Island.” Korea Trip Guide, www.koreatripguide.com.
