Vacationers enjoy the water at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, a major beach on the east coast of Gangwon Province, on the 2nd as the heat wave reached its peak. [Yonhap News] 

The number of vacationers visiting beaches on the east coast of Gangwon Province has surpassed 5 million this summer.

According to Gangwon State on the 10th, the cumulative number of visitors to 85 beaches across six cities and counties along the east coast reached 5,040,900 as of this date, marking a 25% decrease (1,676,647 people) compared to the 6,717,547 visitors recorded during the same period last year.

By region, Gangneung City saw the highest number of visitors with 2,065,899, though this represents a 16.9% decrease from last year.

Donghae City recorded 413,815 visitors (-40.4%), and Samcheok City recorded 652,285 visitors (-7.5%).

On the other hand, Yangyang County welcomed 817,400 visitors, an increase of 245,342 (42.9%) compared to the same period last year, making it the only city or county on the east coast to show growth.

Sokcho City also saw a 4.5% decrease, with 556,671 visitors.

Goseong County recorded 534,830 visitors, marking the largest decline with a drop of 1,142,665 people (-68.1%) compared to last year.

Meanwhile, beaches on the east coast of Gangwon Province will remain open until the 17th for Goseong, Samcheok, and Donghae, and until the 23rd for Gangneung, Sokcho, and Yangyang.

Parasols on the sandy beach waiting for vacationers [Yonhap News file photo]