Jeju - a peaceful "treasure" in the middle of the blue sea

VTV.vn - Known as the "Hawaii of Korea", Jeju Island receives special attention from tourists all over the world.

Photo: Hongbin

The attraction of this island is not only because of the effects from famous movies but also because of the healing value from the land, sky, and the lasting tectonic achievements over millions of years on the volcanic foundation.

According to CNN, by 2024, more than 13 million people will have been drawn to the island, famous for its sparkling blue waters, lush green tea fields, and snow-capped Hallasan volcano. In fact, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Air Transport Statistics Report 2024, the flight route from Seoul to Jeju is now the busiest in the world, with more than 13 million passengers. Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of foreign tourists visiting Jeju Island each year has nearly quadrupled, to 1.9 million in 2024, according to the Jeju Tourism Association. To cope with that strong growth and the problems that come with having too many tourists, officials on South Korea's "magic island" recently printed 8,000 copies of the guide, which outlines violations that tourists can be fined for.

Jeju Island is famous for its sparkling blue water (Photo: Pexels)

Jeju Island is one of the few destinations in the region facing challenges of overcrowding after the pandemic. The measures taken are aimed at helping the "paradise island" maintain its inherent peace and tranquility so that people can enjoy the best values ​​that nature has to offer. The island has become very famous globally as the setting for a series of famous movies and TV series, making Jeju a destination for couples' dreams of happiness, a place where Kpop idols choose to share with the public... After the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend of rewarding oneself to take care of mental health, to dispel worries and troubles in life continues to be responded to by many people. And finding tourist destinations that are considered "paradise" to heal is a popular choice.

Peaceful scenery of Jeju Island (Photo: Sangmin Jeong)

More than 13 million tourists visited this beautiful island in 2024 (Photo: Getty Images)

In recent years, the trend of wellness tourism has also been promoted by Korea. In order to encourage tourists to explore and experience more of Korea's wellness style, the Korea Tourism Organization launched the "K-Wellness " campaign . In 2024, this initiative announced a list of 77 selected destinations for wellness tourism.

Photo: Unsplash

Jeju Island is one of the few places in the world honored by UNESCO with 3 major titles: World Natural Heritage, Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark. Not only attracting tourists with its scenic beauty, Jeju is also highly appreciated for its clean environment. According to The Korea Herald, in 2024, Jeju is the locality with the lowest concentration of PM2.5 fine dust in Korea, averaging only 12.3 µg/m³ - much lower than the level in Seoul and major cities. This air quality is especially important for tourists participating in outdoor activities and health care treatments.

Jeju also attracts health-conscious people through the existence of the Haenyeo community - elderly female divers. They can fish around Jeju Island without using oxygen tanks, despite having to dive very deep, many times a day. They are considered a unique cultural symbol of Korea and their diving profession has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Female divers in Jeju (photo: Unsplash)

Jeju Island also has one of the lowest stroke mortality rates in South Korea. A study published in the journal Cell Reports sheds some light on the origins of the Haenyeo's "superpowers." It's a combination of physiological and genetic changes and a relentless training process that pushes physical limits. "Wouldn't it be great if, by studying female divers in Korea, we could apply these findings to develop a therapy that protects people from stroke all over the world? By studying these populations, we could make discoveries that are really important to people all over the world," said Melissa Ilardo, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Utah. said. Further research on Haenyeo female divers is also a way to honor the unique indigenous cultural values, honor the extraordinary health and physical strength of women to encourage the preservation and maintenance of a very unique job.

Source: https://vtv.vn/jeju-kho-bau-an-lanh-giua-bien-xanh-100250922201155659.htm