Jeju Cracks Down on Overcharging to Win Back Tourists
Creatrip Team
5 months ago
Jeju Province has launched a comprehensive public-private plan to eliminate overcharging (바가지요금) after recent incidents — like overpriced kimbap at the Tamna Cultural Festival and expensive squid at Seogwipo market — damaged tourist trust. Officials outlined a 3-step approach: prevention, monitoring and sanctions. Measures include pre-festival price-stability plans, a festival price control center, mandatory vendor agreements and training, clear price displays and food samples at booths, a dedicated complaint hotline and joint inspection teams during events. Stronger penalties are being considered, such as deducting points in festival evaluations, excluding violators from designated festival status, cutting budgets, and a possible ‘‘one-strike-out’’ rule for major unfair practices. Beyond festivals, a public-private council will tackle overcharging across seven sectors (lodging, transport, restaurants, attractions, travel agencies, golf courses, beaches) to promote more cost-effective tourism in Jeju.
