Domestic Major Travel Agencies See Surge in Long-Distance Destination Bookings
Booking Rates Higher Than Pre-COVID-19 Levels
With the endemic phase (periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases) leading to the lifting of the government's COVID-19 quarantine guidelines and the removal of entry and exit restrictions worldwide, this summer vacation season is the first since these changes. During this period, demand for visiting long-distance destinations among overseas travel destinations chosen by Korean nationals has revived.
A traveler is looking at the departure information display board at Terminal 1 departure hall of Incheon International Airport. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to major domestic travel agencies on the 1st, a notable change is that Europe ranked high in the proportion of overseas travel reservations for July and August this year. According to data compiled by Hana Tour, Europe was chosen as the summer vacation destination by 20.5% of travelers, ranking first. This was followed by Vietnam (19.2%) and Japan (16.6%). Since overseas travel resumed in earnest from last year, most travelers visited relatively nearby regions such as Southeast Asia and Japan. However, with the expansion of flight routes and the long summer vacation period, consumer sentiment for long-distance travel destinations, which had been limited for the past three years, has expanded.
According to data from Kyowon Tour's travel specialist brand 'Travel Easy,' the proportion of long-distance travel reservations has increased compared to before COVID-19. Based on data of overseas travel reservations made through this travel agency from July 28 to August 6, the region with the highest demand was Vietnam (16.6%), followed by Western Europe (13.5%). Western Europe jumped from 10th place to 2nd place in reservation rankings compared to the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, Northern Europe ranked 5th with 6.9%, and Eastern Europe, which was not in the top 10 four years ago, entered the rankings at 6th place (6.8%).
The proportion of long-distance products during this summer peak season at Travel Easy is 46%, an increase of 13 percentage points from 33% before COVID-19. Among Western Europe destinations, products for Rome in Italy, Zermatt and Zurich in Switzerland, and London in the United Kingdom showed high reservation proportions. Among Eastern European countries, travel demand increased for the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Austria.
A representative from Travel Easy said, "It appears that the pent-up demand for overseas travel has been significantly reflected in long-distance product reservations," adding, "Reservations for long-distance products are characterized by being evenly distributed across Europe, the Americas, and Australia, rather than concentrated on specific destinations."
Modetour reported that overseas package tour products and flight ticket reservation rates for the third quarter, which includes the summer peak season, increased by about 80% compared to the previous quarter. By region, Southeast Asia ranked first with 39%, followed by Europe at 23%. Additionally, reservations during the golden holiday period extended by the Chuseok holiday in September increased by 410% compared to the same period last year.
Norang Balloon also reported that in the third quarter, which includes the summer vacation season, reservation rates for European regions such as Northern Europe, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe/Balkans nearly doubled compared to the previous quarter. Compared to the same period in 2019, European region reservation rates increased by about 80%. According to a Norang Balloon representative, Spain is popular in Western Europe, Oslo in Norway in Northern Europe, and the Czech Republic in Eastern Europe.
An industry insider said, "While the proportion of travelers choosing resorts such as Southeast Asia remains high, especially among those who prioritize cost-effectiveness (performance relative to price), the pent-up demand for overseas travel has revived, and those who prefer long-distance travel are rapidly increasing, dividing the market."
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