Concentration of Demand for Short-Haul Travel
Mongolia's Popularity Rises with LCC Route Expansion
Pleasant Weather Continues Even in Summer
As the peak summer vacation season approaches from late July to early August, overseas travel demand is concentrating on Mongolia and Vietnam. In the case of Mongolia, only major full-service carriers (FSCs) such as Korean Air had operated flights in the past. However, the recent launch of new routes by low-cost carriers (LCCs), combined with pleasant weather even during the summer, is believed to have contributed to Mongolia’s rising popularity.
Overseas travel demand from Mongolia is increasing. This is attributed to the recent launch of new routes by low-cost carriers (LCCs) and the pleasant weather even during summer, which has boosted its popularity. Getty Images
On July 1, Kyowon Tour’s Travel Easy released a report on “Overseas Travel Trends and Popular Destinations for the Summer Vacation Season,” which included these findings. According to Kyowon Tour, this summer’s vacation trends can be summarized as the emergence of Mongolia as a popular destination, a concentration of demand for short-haul trips, a preference for Vietnam among family travelers, and continued interest in Europe.
The most notable destination is Mongolia, which accounted for 18.3% of all bookings, ranking first. Mongolia is characterized by its cool climate, with low average temperatures even in midsummer, and is especially popular among the MZ generation. Premium products accounted for 45.7% of all bookings to Mongolia.
This increase in travel demand to Mongolia is seen as the result of a combination of factors, including the expansion of routes departing from regional cities and changing consumer trends. As LCCs have increased the number of flights to Mongolia from major regional airports such as Busan, Cheongju, and Daegu, accessibility for travelers outside the capital area has greatly improved. The shift in traveler interest toward destinations that offer new experiences in unfamiliar settings has also played a role.
A Kyowon Tour representative explained, “In Mongolia, where most itineraries focus on nature, such as Terelj National Park, there is a marked preference for package tours that guarantee safety and convenience.”
Vietnam ranked second with 16.8%. By region, Nha Trang accounted for the largest share at 49.3%, followed by Da Nang at 24.7% and Phu Quoc at 24.5%. Phu Quoc, like Guam and Saipan, is known for its developed all-inclusive resorts, and demand among families traveling with children continues to grow steadily.
Following Vietnam, China (13.3%), Japan (8.6%), and Thailand (7.3%) ranked third to fifth, respectively. In China, demand among the senior generation for scenic destinations such as Baekdusan and Zhangjiajie was reflected. In Japan, the popular short-haul region of Kyushu and Hokkaido, which is favored during the summer, drove overall demand. Notably, Japan has a short lead time, so new demand is expected to continue right up until departure.
Among long-haul destinations, Europe showed a clear preference. Eastern Europe (6.2%), Western Europe (6.0%), Northern Europe (4.5%), and Southern Europe (3.6%) ranked sixth through ninth, respectively. Australia, located in the Southern Hemisphere and offering cool weather for travel, ranked tenth with 3.1%.
A Kyowon Tour representative stated, “This summer, in addition to traditional popular regions such as Southeast Asia and Japan, there is a noticeable increase in demand for destinations like Mongolia that offer unique nature and culture,” adding, “We will continue to introduce differentiated products to respond to the diversifying travel trends.”
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