Hotel Room Bookings Surge for Early October Golden Holidays
Intense Competition to Attract Autumn Travelers with Seasonal Packages
As the late summer heat persists, the hotel and resort industry is accelerating preparations for the autumn season. With the upcoming Chuseok holiday and the extended golden holiday period, hotels are moving early to capture demand for "hocance" (hotel + vacation) stays.
According to travel and leisure platform Nol Universe on the 23rd, the number of pension reservations made through Nol Universe for early October, which features a string of golden holidays, has increased about tenfold compared to the same period last year. The company explained that popular themes such as pool villas, ocean-view pensions, and pensions with swimming pools, as well as standalone pensions, are being booked more than 20% faster than regular pensions.
Last year during Chuseok, customers visiting the Shilla Hotel Seoul watched a magic show held at the Yeongbingwan. Photo by Shilla Hotel Seoul
Hotel room occupancy rates are also rising rapidly, with the average hotel room occupancy rate in Seoul reaching around 60%. Hotels in the Gangnam area, which have a high proportion of domestic guests, are seeing occupancy rates of about 50%. In contrast, hotels in Gangbuk and Mapo, which are popular among foreign visitors, have already surpassed 90% average occupancy for October 3-4, the start of the golden holiday. Hotels in Jeju Island, such as the Jeju Dream Tower Complex Resort operated by Lotte Tour Development, which are popular among Chinese tourists, are also recording occupancy rates above 80%.
An industry insider stated, "Many hotels and resorts near popular travel destinations such as Gangwon are already fully booked," adding, "During periods that include long holidays, travelers tend to secure their accommodations first, leading to intense competition to find available rooms."
After wrapping up the peak summer season, the hotel industry is quickly shifting to autumn-themed offerings to capture reservation demand. For example, Shilla Hotel Seoul is launching a "Chucance" (Chuseok + vacation) program targeting the Chuseok golden holiday. At the Dynasty Hall, a fusion Korean traditional music performance titled "Timeless Tunes: Stroll with Tradition" will be held for family guests. This one-hour live performance brings together haegeum, Korean percussion, piano, guitar, and contrabass. The dinner buffet will feature enhanced Korean menus to create a festive atmosphere, and will be paired with traditional liquors and teas that complement Korean cuisine.
The "Timeless Tunes" package includes one night in a guest room, admission for two to the Timeless Tunes concert, and the dinner buffet. This package is available from October 4 to 7. At the Yeongbingwan, couples can enjoy the "Cinematic Evening" package, which includes a movie screening and gourmet dining, available from October 6 to 8.
Inspire Entertainment Resort on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, will hold a "Flash Sale" offering limited-time special rates on room packages for five days from August 26 to 30. For guests planning autumn and winter trips in advance, two special room packages are available: the "Limited Special Splash Bay Package" and the "Limited Special Splash Bay & Chef's Kitchen Package." Guests can enjoy a full package that includes breakfast and access to the water park at the room-only price.
The Limited Special Splash Bay Package includes one night in a guest room, morning access to the indoor water park Splash Bay for all guests, and late check-out. The Limited Special Splash Bay & Chef's Kitchen Package includes a two-night stay, all-day access to Splash Bay for all guests, and a voucher for the Chef's Kitchen brunch or lunch buffet for two, as well as late check-out. These packages can be booked for stays between September 1 and December 19.
Additionally, Grand Josun Jeju, the luxury resort-style hotel operated by Josun Hotels & Resorts, is offering its autumn package "The Shape Of Scent" through November 30. With this package, guests using kids' rooms receive one complimentary kids' program session per night. The stay period is from September 19 to November 30. E-Land Park Kensington Hotel & Resort is also offering "autumn travel" themed packages at three Kensington Resort locations known for their fall scenery-Gyeongju, Jirisan Hadong, and Seogwipo-until September 30. Each package includes one night in a guest room and admission for two to a major local tourist attraction.
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