South Korea’s Jeju Island Taps NFTs To Attract More Visitors

The global adoption of non-fungible token collections has begun increasing this new year after constantly flattening since June 2022.

South Korea's Jeju Island to Launch NFT Tourist CardsJeju Island, a popular tourist destination in South Korea, is planning to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) collection as part of its efforts to attract more visitors, particularly younger generations. According to a press release on January 06 by Maeil Kyungjae, a local South Korean media outlet, the subtropical region of South Korea, which boasts a unique legal framework, is set to launch an NFT collection. With these unique “visitors’ cards,” which will be powered by NFTs, South Korea's tropical paradise hopes to attract millennial and Gen Z tourists.

🚨 JUST IN: South Korea’s Jeju Island is stepping into the future! The popular tourist destination is reportedly launching #NFT tourist cards to attract more visitors, especially from the younger generation. 🌐✨ Would you collect one? 🏝️ #NFTs #TravelInnovation pic.twitter.com/FbJU7Ploqf

— DeFi Planet (@PlanetDefi) January 6,2025

Jeju Island, an autonomous province of South Korea, is situated in the East China Sea. The island is renowned for its volcanic geology and lava tubes. It is also a tourist destination because of its distinct matriarchal family structures, such as the renowned Haenyeo, female free divers who go deep sea foraging for abalone, sea cucumber, and other local specialties. This well-liked getaway also features Jeju Waterworld, miles of golden beaches, and winding coastal paths.

Jeju Island is planning to introduce NFT tourist cards on an unidentified blockchain network to improve travel experiences. Tourists will be able to get discounts, travel subsidies, and other benefits thanks to the NFT cards. Additionally, tourists who use the upcoming NFT-based tourism cards will be able to record their travel experiences, including the places they visit, the times, pictures, and videos. Tao NFT holders will also be able to take advantage of benefits like discounts on attractions at the tourist spot.

Jeju Island's Journey in Crypto and NFTsJeju Islands integrated blockchain technology in 2019 and launched a local stablecoin duped Tamna Jeon to revitalize the tourism economy. At the time, the island authority launched the Blockchain Hub City Development Research Service to explore advanced blockchain applications. By 2021, it expanded its crypto initiatives across the public sector, such as traffic management systems and VAT refunds for foreign visitors.

Jeju Island aims to provide tourists with extra advantages by integrating NFTs into its system. The marketing strategy aims to reach a wider range of generations, including millennials and Zoomers, in the hopes of boosting visits and encouraging repeat tourists. These NFT cards are anticipated to be made available in the second half of 202025. As markets rose amid renewed regulatory optimism in the United States, South Koreans started to return to crypto in droves late last year.