With Just One Day Off, a 7-Day Trip... Where Are Koreans Flocking to This May?

Osaka Tops List of Overseas Destinations for Golden Holiday
Overwhelming Reservation Rate for Japan... Incheon Airport to Face 'Peak Congestion' on May 3

As the May Golden Holiday approaches, demand for overseas travel is surging, causing airports across the country to be crowded with travelers. According to Incheon International Airport Corporation, from April 30 to May 6, approximately 1.48 million people are expected to use Incheon International Airport, while 1.63 million are expected to use regional airports, bringing the total number of air passengers to 3.11 million.

Incheon International Airport. Yonhap News

This holiday period is unique, stretching up to seven days and covering Labor Day (May 1), the weekend (May 3-4), Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday (May 5), and a substitute holiday (May 6). By taking just one day off on May 2, travelers can enjoy a full week of vacation, creating a travel rush comparable to the national holiday season. In particular, Incheon International Airport is expected to be most crowded on Saturday, May 3, with more than 218,000 passengers forecasted for that day alone.

Among travel destinations, Osaka, Japan is proving to be the most popular. According to an analysis of Jin Air's international flight reservation data, Osaka, Nha Trang, and Fukuoka ranked highest in preference, followed by Okinawa, Phu Quoc, and Guam. Especially on Japanese routes, reservation rates remain strong, with most exceeding 90%.

Osaka Expo character 'Myakumyaku' and Gundam. Photo by Yonhap News

Visa exemption benefits, short flight distances, and a wide variety of food options continue to make Japan a highly competitive travel destination. Booking statistics from travel platform Klook for the May holiday period show that 52% of all overseas reservations are for trips to Japan. Tokyo ranked first as a single city, followed by Osaka and Fukuoka.

Lee Junho, head of Klook Korea, explained, "There is still strong demand for nearby destinations that can be visited on a short schedule with family or friends," adding, "During the holiday period, regions within a six-hour flight, such as Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, are particularly preferred."

For travelers who have not yet secured airline tickets, routes to Hong Kong, which still have relatively more available seats, are being suggested as an alternative.