At 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 25, around 40 tourists wearing sunglasses were waiting for a boat at Sibang Port in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, despite it being a weekday. With suitcases, fishing rods, and iceboxes in hand, their destination was Isudo, a small island located just an eight-minute boat ride away.
Once on the verge of becoming uninhabited, Isudo is now renowned for its “one-night, three-meal” experience. Guests staying at local guesthouses enjoy three meals featuring freshly harvested seafood, such as sea cucumbers and sea squirts, for about 100,000 won per person.
As word spread about the island’s fresh seasonal cuisine and tranquil setting, 130,000 visitors came last year—1,200 times its population of just 108. A dock worker said, “On weekends, around 1,000 tourists arrive, and we run ferries frequently to keep up with demand.”
Isudo, a small island spanning 380,000 square meters, can be explored in just 90 minutes. Its name, meaning “Island of beneficial waters”, comes from its once-abundant seafood, including cod and anchovies. However, like many islands, it faced a population decline as climate change reduced fish stocks and residents moved away. The population, which was around 500 in the 1970s, had fallen to just 50 by the 2000s.
In 2010, residents tried to revive the village by converting an abandoned school into a pension, but few tourists came to stay. Then in 2012, Bae Min-ja, a 67-year-old who ran a guesthouse on Isudo, proposed serving guests three meals a day with seasonal ingredients, leading to the creation of the “one night, three meals” lodging package. “When traveling, mothers always worry about meals,” Bae said. “If someone else does the cooking, travelers can truly relax. And when the ingredients are fresh, it’s even better.”
As word spread, more residents joined in, and now 16 of the village’s 78 households run guesthouses offering the “one night, three meals” experience.
South Gyeongsang Province and Geoje City also pitched in, investing 19.7 billion won to build an observatory, a suspension bridge, and improve walking trails.
At Bae’s guesthouse, the dining table was impressive, featuring over ten dishes, including wild flounder sashimi from Isudo’s waters, chopped live octopus, steamed octopus, sea squirts, steamed oysters, seasoned grilled eel, sweet and sour abalone, and clam soup.
The menu changes with the seasons, as it depends on the availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients. a 79-year-old visitor from Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, said, “The host kept saying, ‘If you need more, just ask,’ but I couldn’t possibly eat more. The food is delicious, and the hospitality is wonderful.”
Encouraged by Isudo’s success, the South Gyeongsang provincial government plans to develop additional island tourism models starting this year. The region has 552 islands, many of which are facing population decline.
One such island is Chudo, a small fishing community in Tongyeong. Last May, the island, home to just 80 residents, hosted its first-ever Chudo Island Film Festival, drawing 240 film enthusiasts from across the country. Lacking convenience stores or cafés, visitors enjoyed bibimbap made with seaweed and hijiki instead of popcorn. Director Yuk Sang-hyo, who screened his film “Our Season,” said, “With the sea, the island, and the films coming together, this was the most romantic and beautiful film festival I’ve ever attended.” The provincial government plans to invest 900 million won this year to transform Chudo into an island of cinema, with plans for regular film festivals.
Jisimdo Island in Geoje is being rebranded as a “wedding island.” Famous for its lush camellia forests, the island hosted three local couples for “reminder weddings” last November. Recognizing the island’s potential, the provincial government plans to organize three more outdoor wedding ceremonies this year, offering free wedding dresses, makeup, and photography services.
