[Big Data] Travel Keywords Changed by COVID-19: 'Camping, Nearby, Family'

Yeongwol Camp Glamping Site

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been revealed that the travel patterns of our citizens are rapidly shifting towards camping, short-distance, and family-centered trips.

According to the big data analysis results of the "Domestic Tourists' Travel Movement Patterns and Behavioral Changes" announced by the Korea Tourism Organization on the 16th, the number of visitors to camping sites nationwide during the 21 weeks from January 30 to May 30 increased by 73% compared to the same period last year. The analysis was based on approximately 24 million T-map traffic data from SK Telecom and about 5.1 billion personal movement data based on KT's base stations.

◆ Surge in Outdoor and Activity Trips= According to the T-map traffic data analysis, visitors to camping sites in metropolitan and basic local governments from February to April increased significantly by around 100-400% compared to the same period last year. Among basic local governments, the increase in camping demand was notable in Yeongwol (470%), Hamyang (412%), Gunsan (408%), Yangyang (377%), Seocheon (340%), and Buan (327%). Among metropolitan local governments, Gangwon (141%), Jeonbuk (133%), Chungnam (125%), Gyeonggi (80%), Chungbuk (78%), and Daejeon (76%) ranked high.

In the metropolitan area, visitors to Hanam (91%), Namyangju (38%), and Ongjin (27%) increased significantly, and those visiting these local governments were mainly confirmed to have moved to outdoor and leisure activity locations. The Korea Tourism Organization explained, "Camping visitors surged mainly at short-distance camping sites in the metropolitan area and large cities," and "It is presumed to be a result of preferring outdoor spaces with family and separate spaces for safety awareness due to COVID-19."

According to KT's mobile communication data aggregation, from the third week of January to the second week of May, the proportion of family units among visitors to metropolitan suburbs such as Hanam, Namyangju, and Ongjin averaged 54.7%. This is interpreted as a preference for safe family trips instead of small gatherings or trips with acquaintances. In a survey conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization on the preferred travel companions for the first domestic trip after COVID-19, "family" accounted for 65%.

◆ 'COVID-19 Clean Areas' on the Rise= Big data analysis results showed that visitors to traditional popular tourist destinations such as Bukchon Hanok Village, Jeonju Hanok Village, Andong Hahoe Village, Yeosu Odongdo, Jungmun Tourist Complex, Haeundae Beach, and Seongsan Ilchulbong decreased by 53% compared to the same period last year. In the Korea Tourism Organization's survey, 34% of respondents said they would travel to hidden destinations or places with fewer crowds rather than existing famous tourist spots after COVID-19, the highest response rate.

On the other hand, from the third week of January to the fourth week of May, places like Imsil (18%), Jindo (9%), Yangyang (5%), and Goheung (4%) saw a slight increase in visitors compared to the same period last year. This is a result of increased tourism demand with families heading to areas with no confirmed COVID-19 cases or strong clean area images, considering infectious disease safety.

However, during the "Golden Holiday" period from the end of April, starting with Buddha's Birthday, through Children's Day in early May, visitors to existing popular tourist destinations surged by 128% compared to Jeonju. The Korea Tourism Organization cautiously forecasts that the desire of travelers to visit traditional tourist sites remains valid and that tourism demand in the "post-COVID-19" era is likely to recover.

On the 13th, when the whole country experienced generally clear weather, citizens visiting Yeouido Hangang Citizen's Park in Seoul enjoyed their holiday afternoon. That day, the riverside citizen's park was filled with shade tents, resembling a camping site. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

◆ COVID-19 Travel Keyword: 'Safety' The Korea Tourism Organization summarized travel trends during the COVID-19 situation as "SAFETY" based on big data analysis results. It is an acronym formed from the first letters of six keywords: ▲Short distance ▲Activity ▲Family ▲Eco-area ▲Tourist site ▲Yet (signs of tourism demand recovery).

Although the government plans to implement a 20-day travel week starting next month to revitalize the domestic tourism market, the industry consensus is that it will take considerable time for travel demand to fully recover due to the ongoing occurrence of COVID-19 cases mainly in the metropolitan area.

On the 15th, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo held a non-face-to-face meeting with tourism directors from 17 cities and provinces to discuss ways to spread a safe travel culture. Minister Park said, "Domestic travel can provide an opportunity for citizens exhausted by COVID-19 to recharge," adding, "It is important to reorganize tourism environments safely and hygienically in each region in response to COVID-19 and to develop high-quality tourism content unique to each area."

Participants requested active government support for introducing non-face-to-face travel methods in response to COVID-19 and developing new tourism products aligned with the post-COVID-19 direction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.