By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Dokdo is emerging as one of the most popular spots for holidaymakers this summer after the Japanese government's claim to the islets in its new educational guidebook for school teachers and textbook publishers.

``Since several days ago we have been receiving a rush of calls inquiring about travel to Dokdo. Because of bad weather, difficult accessibility and relatively high costs, it had not been such a popular tour destination,'' said Lee In-young, an official of travel agency Gaja Tour. ``But things are different now in the wake of the fresh territorial dispute with Japan.''

He said the dispute ignited fresh ``patriotic'' interest in the easternmost islets.

``Some people who planned to visit other islands have even cancelled their trips and asked us to make a new reservation for a trip to Dokdo,'' he said.

Requests to visit the islets rose after the Japanese government announced Monday a plan to include a claim to the islets in new teaching manuals for Japanese middle schools.

Dokdo Entrance Office has also received many phone calls from travelers and are preparing for an increasing number of visitors to the island.

``Many ask us how to get to the island. Some also ask us how to move to the island or register as a resident on the island,'' said Oh Byeung-hoon of the office. ``We expect to see visitors numbers rise this month. We may need a set of new guidelines to cope with increasing visitors from the ward office.''

The influx of travelers to the island is expected to continue as public attention and concern has been concentrated on the issue. News media are producing a series of programs on the rocky islets, including a documentary film ``Sorry, Dokdo,'' slated to be released in August.

Currently, the number of people allowed to enter the islets a day is restricted to 1,880.

e3dward@koreatimes.co.kr