This Lunar New Year holiday season, South Korean travelers are opting for longer, more luxurious getaways than in previous years. Meanwhile, there’s been a significant uptick in international visitors to Korea, creating a bustling two-way travel market.
Global travel platform Trip.com reported on the 9th that 65% of South Korean travelers have plans for extended trips during the Lunar New Year break. Their booking analysis revealed that 4-7 day trips make up 43% of all reservations, while longer 8-14 day adventures account for 22%.
With longer travel times on the cards, destination choices are expanding. While nearby hotspots like Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam remain go-to favorites, there’s growing interest in far-flung locales such as the United States, Spain, and Australia.
Travelers are splurging on luxury experiences this year. First-class flight bookings have skyrocketed by 83% compared to last year, with business class reservations up by 38%.
The trend towards high-end accommodations is unmistakable. Five-star hotel bookings have surged by 59% year-over-year, dominating over 50% of total reservations in popular destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Impressively, about 75% of all bookings are for four-star or higher rated lodgings.
Korea is also seeing a major influx of international visitors. Trip.com data shows an 88% increase in flight bookings to Korea during the Lunar New Year period compared to last year. There’s been a notable surge in reservations not just from Asian countries like China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, but also from Japan, Australia, and the United States.
Breaking down the data by departure points, routes from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, showed the highest growth in bookings. In Japan, travel demand has diversified beyond Tokyo and Osaka, spreading to major cities like Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. Even countries like Poland, Canada, and Uzbekistan have seen a noticeable uptick in Korea-bound bookings.
The influx of Chinese tourists is expected to be particularly significant. Market research firm China Trading Desk predicts that up to 250,000 Chinese visitors could be heading to Korea during the Lunar New Year holiday.
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