Increase in 'Honhaengjok' Enjoying Solo Travel
New Travel Trend, 'Mobile Moon'
"Need to Expand Infrastructure for Solo Travelers"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon, Intern Reporter Heo Midam] "I'm not afraid to travel alone"
Last year, university student Kim (24), who traveled alone to Europe, said, "I booked everything from flights to accommodations and transportation through my smartphone," adding, "Even in Europe, I was able to search for nearby restaurants and attractions on my phone, so I could get around without any inconvenience."
He expressed satisfaction, saying, "Before the trip, I was afraid of going alone to an unfamiliar place. But it was fun because I could fully enjoy a trip just for myself."
Recently, as mobile technology has advanced and booking flights and accommodations has become easier, the so-called 'honhaeng (solo travel) tribe' who enjoy traveling alone with their phones has increased. As solo travel has become a travel trend, experts suggest that various travel products for solo travelers are needed.
A(27), an office worker who usually enjoys solo travel, said, "In my early 20s, I went to Hong Kong with a friend. We had difficulties due to differences in opinions even before the trip, and the quarrels continued during the trip." He added, "It was supposed to be a fun trip, but it only caused stress," and "Since then, I haven't kept in touch much with that friend."
They started traveling alone to avoid being constrained by others. According to an online shopping site Gmarket's survey of 993 people last year, 80% of all respondents said they plan to travel solo in the future.
They cited reasons for preferring solo travel as "being able to plan the trip according to my own taste" (78%), "difficulty coordinating schedules with others" (10%), and "lack of companions" (7%).
Foreign media are also paying attention to solo travel. In particular, the U.S. online travel agency 'Expedia' named solo travel as a travel trend and mentioned the new term 'mobilemoon.' 'Mobilemoon' refers to a trip taken with a mobile phone as a companion instead of friends or family.
The media stated, "'Mobilemoon' is the latest travel trend," and reported that among American respondents who participated in a related survey, one-third preferred traveling with their phone rather than with anyone else.
Korean travelers have a positive response to solo travel. According to the 'Global Solo Travel Trend' survey conducted by travel information platform 'Klook' and global market research firm 'YouGov' targeting about 21,000 people from 16 countries including Korea, 93% of Korean respondents said they have tried or are considering solo travel. This is higher than the 16-country average of 76%.
B(26), an office worker who traveled to Eastern Europe last year, said, "I'm not afraid of traveling alone," adding, "My biggest concern was finding my way, but I had no problem following the map app. I also heard that sometimes foreigners deliberately give less change. But since I checked the exchange rate on my phone before paying, that didn't happen."
B also explained the reason for pursuing solo travel: "It's very difficult to coordinate schedules with acquaintances. Even when traveling with friends, financial issues and different lifestyles often cause stress. When traveling alone, I don't have to feel this fatigue."
Experts suggest that various tourism products for solo travelers are needed.
Researcher Lee Sunhak of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade stated in the report 'Analysis and Implications of Domestic Travel Behavior of Solo Travelers' (2017), "The socio-economic spread of the solo economy (a phenomenon where companies focus on developing and selling products targeting single-person households) is becoming a major trend in the travel industry as well," adding, "Solo travelers are increasingly important in the domestic travel market alongside family or group travelers."
He emphasized, "As there are distinctive differences between traveling with companions and traveling alone, it is necessary to develop tourism products and expand infrastructure that suit the travel behavior of the rapidly increasing number of solo travelers."
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