The number of tourists who have visited South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju this year has surpassed the 5 million mark, data showed Monday.

As of Sunday, 5,029,215 people had visited Jeju, the fastest pace ever, according to the Jeju Special Self-Government Provincial Tourism Association. Last year, it was not until May 23 that the number of visitors hit 5 million.

Out of the total visitors in 2016, some 4 million were South Koreans, and the rest were foreign nationals.

"The number of group tourists and individual tourists has been on a steady rise," an association official said. "Improved ferry and air transportation that connects Jeju and other countries has also contributed to attracting foreign tourists."

Under the special act for Jeju Island, all foreign visitors except those from terrorism-linked countries, can enter and stay on the resort island without a visa for up to 30 days if the purpose of their stay is tourism.

The number of foreigners visiting the island increased from 1 million in 2011 to 1.81 million in 2013 and 2.62 million in 2015, according to government data. (Yonhap)