Japan? Europe?... The '12-Day Golden Holiday' Including Chuseok Sparks Booking War

Major Travel Agencies' Overseas Travel Booking Rate Higher Than Summer Peak
Late Summer Vacationers Included... 'Long-Distance Travelers' Flock
Expansion of Popular Destination Promotions and Discount Benefits

With the Chuseok holiday this year offering a golden holiday period of up to 12 days, overseas travel bookings at major travel agencies have surged. As the transition to the endemic phase (periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases) takes hold, a proper holiday schedule has returned, leading to a significant increase in the proportion of travelers choosing long-distance destinations such as Europe. Travel agencies are busily expanding related products and offering discounts to attract overseas travelers in response to this special demand.

Overseas travelers at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 are completing their check-in procedures. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Strong Demand for Southeast Asia and Japan, with Europe Making Strides

According to the travel industry on the 25th, Hana Tour reported that among overseas travel demands departing from September 27 to October 6, which includes the Chuseok holiday, the reservation proportions by region were Japan 23.0%, Vietnam 19.4%, Europe 13.8%, China 10.4%, Thailand 7.3%, and Taiwan 5.9%.

Europe stands out as a notable region. During the so-called "late July to early August" peak summer vacation period from July 26 to August 4, the reservation proportion for Europe was 9.3%, which has increased by more than 4 percentage points. A Hana Tour representative stated, "Among those planning European trips during the Chuseok holiday, demand for Western Europe is high, and reservations for Eastern Europe have also increased." They added, "Using late vacations around Chuseok allows for relatively long holiday periods. Since it is a public holiday period, it is easier to coordinate vacation schedules with family, relatives, and acquaintances, which has contributed to the increased demand for long-distance travel."

In fact, if one takes about 3 to 4 days of annual leave around this year's Chuseok holiday, including National Foundation Day (October 3) and Hangul Day (October 9), it results in a continuous vacation of 11 to 12 days. Reflecting this, Europe-bound demand also accounted for a significant proportion in other travel agencies' reservation shares. According to Modetour, Southeast Asia ranked first with 36% of overseas travel reservations during this year's Chuseok holiday, followed by Japan (19%) and Europe (18%) at similar levels in second and third place. China, where group tours resumed in the first half of the year, accounted for 15%, and other long-distance regions such as the South Pacific and the Americas reached 11%. Modetour also saw a more than 20% increase in overseas travel bookings during the Chuseok holiday compared to the late July to early August period.

Norangi Pungseon's top overseas travel reservation during the Chuseok holiday was Tokyo, Japan (31.7%), followed closely by Vietnam at 31%. Travelers visiting Western Europe ranked third at 17.5%. The company's package tour reservation rate for this year's Chuseok holiday increased by about 900% compared to the same period last year and has risen to about 70% of the level seen in the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak. A Norangi Pungseon representative said, "While demand for Japan remains strong due to the ongoing weak yen, customers showing interest in Europe have also significantly increased by adding public holidays such as Chuseok, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day."

Additionally, Kyowon Tour's "Travel Easy" reported that long-distance travel products accounted for 53% of reservations during the Chuseok holiday, a 7 percentage point increase from 46% during the late July to early August period. Among the top 10 popular destinations by region, five long-distance travel spots were listed: Barcelona, Spain (1st), Rome, Italy (3rd), Istanbul, Turkey (6th), Sydney, Australia (7th), and London, United Kingdom (8th).

Targeting 'Late Vacationers'... Charter Flights and Special Promotions

The travel industry is working hard to secure customers to capitalize on the third quarter, considered the peak season for overseas travel throughout the year, including the Chuseok holiday. Hana Tour, considering the historically high pre-booking rate for European destinations during the Chuseok holiday, has expanded air seat supply by operating three exclusive charter flights to Zagreb, Croatia this year.

Modetour is holding a "Late Vacation Festa" promotion for customers who have not yet taken their summer vacation. This event offers discounts to new members for popular summer season destinations such as Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, the Americas and South Pacific, and China, running until today.

Norangi Pungseon is operating a "Rich Seat Securing" promotion targeting various regions including Southeast Asia, Japan, China, Guam/Saipan, Europe, the Americas, and Taiwan in preparation for the surge in overseas travel demand during the Chuseok holiday. This promotion focuses on securing seats in advance to prevent customers from giving up travel due to a shortage of airline seats. Kyowon Tour's Travel Easy also introduced "Holiday Departure Products," which guarantee 100% departure upon booking, focusing on popular destinations such as Europe, Vietnam, Japan, China, and Guam/Saipan, similar to charter flight products.

An industry insider said, "Inquiries about overseas travel products departing during the Chuseok holiday continue to increase, but it is difficult to meet demand due to restrictions in securing the most important airline seats," adding, "For popular resort destinations, all prepared products have already been sold out, making reservations impossible."

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