Exemption from Quarantine for Overseas Entrants... Distribution Industry Sees Boom in Overseas Travel Products

Emart, Travel Bag Sales Up 42.4%
11st, Overseas Airfare Up 559%
Package Deals Popular on Home Shopping

Lotte Homeshopping conducted its first European travel product sales broadcast of the year on the 20th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Although the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has reached 10 million, suppressed travel demand is exploding. Since the announcement of the quarantine exemption policy for overseas arrivals, sales of travel products such as travel bags and overseas airline tickets have surged in the distribution industry.

According to Emart on the 25th, sales of travel bags such as suitcases and carry-on bags increased by 42.4% compared to the previous year from the 11th to the 22nd. Golf bag sales also rose by 191.3%, which is analyzed to be due to increased demand preparing for overseas golf trips to Southeast Asia and other regions. During the same period, Homeplus saw travel bag sales grow by about 47% compared to the same period last year. Large marts are preparing discount events in line with overseas travel demand. Emart will offer a 30% discount on travel bags in early next month, and Homeplus will sell new travel bag products at a discount from the end of this month to early next month.

Major online shopping malls are experiencing a surge in sales of overseas travel products. At 11st, overseas airline ticket sales increased by 559% compared to the previous year from the 11th to the 22nd. On Gmarket, overseas airline ticket sales rose by 780%, overseas travel packages by 500%, and overseas local tours by 512%.

Home shopping is seeing great popularity for overseas travel package products. CJ OnStyle aired a Hawaii package broadcast on the 17th in collaboration with travel agency Kyowon KRT, receiving 1,200 orders and recording order amounts of 9 billion KRW. Lotte Home Shopping also sold its first European travel product of the year on the 20th, resulting in 2,500 orders and an order amount of 18 billion KRW, showing explosive response.

A distribution industry official said, “Products launched in line with the exemption from mandatory self-quarantine for overseas arrivals are gaining explosive popularity among customers, matching the suppressed travel sentiment,” adding, “We will quickly introduce popular travel products reflecting future customer demand at reasonable prices and configurations.”