"Even if it's cheap, domestic travel is a bit..."... Overseas travel chosen despite being 7 times more expensive

Consumer Insight Survey Results
"Korea Travel Satisfaction Ranked 26th... Analysis of Reasons Needed"

Although overseas travel costs more than seven times as much as domestic travel, satisfaction levels are significantly higher. According to Consumer Insight, a travel research specialist, an annual travel satisfaction survey conducted among travelers revealed that South Korea ranked in the lower tier among Asian countries.

Overseas travel costs more than seven times as much as domestic travel, but satisfaction levels are significantly higher.
[Image source=Getty Images]

South Korea's travel satisfaction score was 701 points, falling short of the Asian average of 722 points and ranking 26th. In contrast, Switzerland (812 points) and Austria (811 points) took first and second place, followed by Hawaii, Spain, and the Czech Republic. In Asia, Japan ranked 10th with 755 points, followed by T?rkiye, Indonesia, Macau, and Vietnam.

The survey was conducted among 12,073 people who traveled abroad and 17,052 domestic summer vacation travelers over the past year. The average cost per trip was 231,000 KRW domestically and 1,765,000 KRW overseas, with overseas travel costing 7.6 times more than domestic travel. Domestic travel expenses have been declining since peaking at 260,000 KRW in 2022.

Consumer Insight pointed out the need for analysis on why travelers prefer overseas travel despite the cost difference. Although there was a temporary surge in "revenge travel" demand after the endemic phase, travelers continue to spend more on overseas trips even amid high inflation and unfavorable exchange rates.