Jeju's provincial government announced Thursday that the number of visitors to the island for the World Cup are considerably down from the 70,000 envisaged in a survey on tourist hotel reservations, ticket sales and travel agencies, standing at an estimated 46,400 to date. The estimate includes 4,500 World Cup teams' family members, 3,900 news reporters and 38,000 supporters.

The survey attributed tough immigration procedures and increased travel expenses, which led spectators to remain at home, and the failure of FIFA associate Byrom to take up rooms it had previously booked. The average reservation rate for the 43 tourist hotels on Jeju, currently stands at 44.4% for June, except for June 8 when China plays Brazil and June 12 when Paraguay and Slovenia play at 58.7% and June 15 for the second round match at 77.9%.

(Jang Seung-hong, shjang@chosun.com )