Daegu and Daejeon Also Offer Low Average Accommodation Costs
"Value-for-Money Travel Popular Among Generation Z"
As global inflation and economic uncertainty persist, "value-for-money travel," which allows travelers to enjoy a variety of experiences on a limited budget, is emerging as a new trend. In this context, Daejeon, South Korea, has been ranked 9th among Asia's best value-for-money travel destinations by the travel platform Agoda.
On July 2, Agoda announced that it had selected Daejeon, South Korea, as one of the top destinations in Asia for affordable travel during the summer season from June to August this year.
Customers are selecting bread at Seongsimdang, a representative attraction of Daejeon. Photo by Asia Economy DB
This ranking is based on Agoda's analysis of average accommodation prices on its platform across nine major Asian markets. Daejeon recorded an average nightly rate of 126,294 won, placing it 9th overall. Surabaya, Indonesia, ranked first, followed by Tirupati in India, Hat Yai in Thailand, Dalat in Vietnam, Iloilo in the Philippines, Kuching in Malaysia, Nagoya in Japan, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, and Daejeon in South Korea.
Traditionally known as the "city of education," Daejeon has recently been reinvented as a "fun city," especially among the MZ generation, gaining attention as a young and dynamic travel destination. With excellent accessibility to Seoul and a convenient transportation infrastructure, Daejeon is popular among value-conscious travelers seeking a cost-effective trip.
In particular, Seongsimdang, Daejeon's iconic bakery, is considered a must-visit stop on any value-for-money "bakery pilgrimage," offering a wide variety of baked goods at reasonable prices. In addition, the home stadium of the professional baseball team Hanwha Eagles, which has been performing well recently, is also located in Daejeon, drawing interest from practical travelers who want to enjoy both travel and sports at the same time.
Earlier, on June 24 (local time), Japan's STV (Hokkaido Broadcasting) introduced Daejeon as one of "Korea's hidden gems to enjoy with family" on its program "Dosanko Wide." On the broadcast, a Japanese reporter visiting Seongsimdang explained about Twigim Soboro, saying, "There are even people who take the KTX from Seoul just to eat this bread. Its popularity is so high that as many as 40,000 pieces are sold in a single day." After tasting it, the reporter commented, "The outside is as crispy as a cookie, while the inside is moist and soft. This texture is completely new to me. I've never experienced anything like it in Japan," expressing amazement.
Among domestic cities in South Korea, Daegu and Jeju were also selected as popular value-for-money travel destinations, recording average nightly rates of 131,726 won and 143,948 won, respectively.
Lee Junhwan, head of Agoda Korea, said, "As the 'YONO (You Only Need One)' trend, which minimizes unnecessary spending, spreads among Korea's Generation Z, demand is increasing for travel destinations that offer high satisfaction relative to cost. I hope travelers will take advantage of Agoda's customized deals on accommodations, flights, and activities to plan a more efficient and fulfilling summer vacation without being constrained by budget."
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