The tourism sector on Jeju Island, South Korea, is facing a significant crisis as numerous tourists are canceling their trips following the unsettling discovery of several bodies in popular tourist areas. This alarming trend has left many potential visitors feeling unsafe, particularly solo female travelers.

Kang, a 29-year-old frequent visitor to Jeju during the autumn season, has decided to cancel her plans for this year, opting to stay in Seoul instead. "I usually travel alone to relax, but recent events have made me feel that it's not safe for women to visit Jeju alone," she stated.

The wave of cancellations is spreading among South Korean tourists after authorities discovered the remains of missing persons in various locations across the island. The causes of death are currently under investigation, raising further concerns about safety in the area.

During a three-day period from August 22 to 24, local police found a total of four bodies related to missing persons cases in Hallim-eup, Gujwa-eup, Jocheon-eup, and Aewol-eup, all near the famous Jeju Olle trekking trails. Among the deceased was Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman, whose body was found just 400 meters from her accommodation. This case had previously been mishandled by an investigator who closed it with a note stating that contact had been made.

The unsettling discoveries have led to a surge of rumors, further damaging the local tourism industry. A homestay owner in Hallim-eup lamented, "We usually host many solo travelers, and it’s unfortunate that the entire community is being negatively affected." Nearby accommodation providers have also reported a spike in inquiries about safety conditions.

Some local businesses are considering terminating rental contracts early to recover their deposits due to the fear instigated by these incidents. The tourism industry on Jeju was already experiencing a downturn, with the Jeju Tourism Organization reporting a 12% decrease in domestic visitors in July compared to the previous year. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the monthly domestic visitor count fell below one million. In August, the average daily visitor count dropped to approximately 35,200, lower than the same period last year.

The prevailing anxiety about traveling is expected to continue to weigh heavily on the economic recovery of Jeju Island in the coming months.