"Completely Changed Overseas Travel Trends... 'Savecation' on the Rise"

HotelsCombined, Analysis of Overseas Hotel and Flight Search Volumes
Preference for 3-Star Hotels Over 5-Star, Regions with Cheaper Airfares Preferred

As demand for overseas travel has revived after COVID-19, a travel trend of enjoying trips at relatively affordable prices is spreading. So-called 'Savecation' is gaining attention, where travelers prefer 3-star hotels instead of 5-star ones and choose destinations with relatively cheaper airfare. Savecation is a combination of the English words 'Save' and 'Vacation.'

HotelsCombined recommends Osaka, Japan as a great "savecation" destination for the first half of this year.
[Photo by HotelsCombined]

Global hotel search platform HotelsCombined announced on the 27th that the number of searches for 3-star hotels increased by about 28% compared to the same period last year, based on an analysis of overseas hotel and airfare searches from April 1 to June 1 this year. Previously, the most searched products by overseas travelers through HotelsCombined were 4-star and 5-star hotels offering premium services, but the trend has changed this year.

The share of searches for 5-star hotels this year decreased by about 30% compared to the previous year. The company explained that rather than bold consumption trends like the 'luxury ho-cance (hotel + vacation)' popular during the COVID-19 spread period, there seems to be a stronger tendency to enjoy well-organized trips at relatively affordable prices.

Data provided by HotelsCombined

HotelsCombined recommended 10 overseas travel destinations for travelers planning to travel abroad at relatively low costs in the first half of this year. These include Fukuoka in Japan; Angeles and Cebu in the Philippines; Osaka, Okinawa, and Sapporo in Japan; Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam; Tokyo in Japan; and Taipei in Taiwan. The list is based on cities with the lowest average round-trip economy airfare prices per person departing from Korea between April 1 and June 1.

Currently, airfare to Fukuoka can be purchased for about 260,000 KRW. Following that, Manila is about 280,000 KRW, Angeles and Cebu about 320,000 KRW, Osaka and Okinawa about 330,000 KRW, Sapporo about 340,000 KRW, Ho Chi Minh about 350,000 KRW, and Tokyo and Taipei about 360,000 KRW each. Sapporo and Ho Chi Minh airfares are approximately 35% and 31% cheaper than last year, respectively.

Meanwhile, HotelsCombined also operates a 'Lowest Price Guarantee' on its website, which refunds 100% of the difference if the hotel booked is not the lowest price available.