"Just Go Have Fun in Seoul" Reservations Soar... Japan Drops Out of Rankings as Chinese Tourists Change Course

During the New Year's Holiday, South Korea Replaces Japan as Top Destination for Chinese Travelers
Seoul Ranks First in Travel Preference... Japan Drops Out of the Top List

While demand for flights from China to Japan has plummeted, reservations for flights to South Korea have surged.

Since the visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists was implemented on September 29 last year, Chinese tourists visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul have been enjoying their time. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

On January 4, Chinese media outlet Zaiji Caijing, citing Chinese travel platforms and aviation data analytics, reported, "During this year's New Year's (Yuandan) holiday period, demand for flights to Japan dropped by 40.5% year-on-year, while outbound travel to South Korea and Southeast Asia increased significantly."

According to data compiled by Chinese aviation analytics firm Hangban Guanzha, during this year's holiday period (January 1-3), China's civil aviation passenger volume reached approximately 5.885 million, averaging 1.962 million passengers per day. This represents a 10.8% increase compared to the same period last year.

The surge in passenger demand is attributed to two main factors: an increase in long-term overseas travel as office workers and students combined personal leave with the holidays, and a rise in the number of foreign tourists entering China.

Flight Reservations to Seoul Up 3.3 Times Year-on-Year

In particular, demand for flights to South Korea and Southeast Asian countries saw a dramatic increase. According to data from Chinese travel platform Qunar, outbound flight reservations to popular destinations during the Yuandan holiday period rose by more than 40% overall, with reservations for routes to South Korea and Vietnam more than doubling.

Among flights to South Korea, the Seoul route saw the largest increase. Reservations for flights to Seoul jumped 3.3 times compared to the previous year, ranking first in growth rate among all destinations. Among university students, Seoul was the top preferred outbound travel destination during the Yuandan holiday. Flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam also increased by 3.2 times and 2.4 times, respectively, emerging as popular destinations among office workers in their late 20s to 30s.

Additionally, demand for long-haul travel to the Southern Hemisphere also increased. Reservations for flights to New Zealand rose by 1.1 times, while the Brazil route, which saw increased flight frequency at the end of last year, saw reservations nearly triple during the Yuandan holiday. Routes to visa-free countries such as Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan also ranked in the top 10 for reservation growth rates.

According to Qunar's data, the top 10 outbound destinations chosen by Chinese travelers during the Yuandan holiday were all in Asia, with Seoul, Bangkok, and Hong Kong occupying the top spots.

Strained China-Japan Relations... Japan Disappears from 'Top Destinations'

In contrast, demand for flights to Japan showed a marked decline. According to Hangban Guanzha, the number of international flights to Japan during the Yuandan holiday period fell by 40.5% year-on-year. Japan, which had consistently ranked among the top outbound travel destinations for major Chinese holidays, dropped out of the top 10 for this year's Yuandan holiday.

Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, is attending the 2nd session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held at Gyeongju HICO on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News

This is seen as a result of the recent deterioration in China-Japan relations. Last month, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a potential Taiwan contingency, the Chinese government began urging its citizens to refrain from visiting Japan.

The same trend was observed in international flight operations. According to Hangban Guanzha, among the top 20 outbound international and regional routes during the Yuandan holiday, the South Korea route ranked first in number of flights operated, up 6.5% year-on-year. In contrast, only the routes to Japan, Thailand, and Australia saw a decrease compared to the previous year, with the decline in flights to Japan being the most significant.