"Escaping the Cold for Warm Destinations"… Southeast Asia Gains Popularity as Year-End Travel Spot

Most December Bookings Are for Vietnam and Southeast Asia
Industry Says Travel Demand Expected to Recover Soon to Pre-COVID Levels

As the cold weather arrives earlier than usual, demand for spending the year-end in warm countries is increasing. Accordingly, travel to Southeast Asia is gaining popularity.

According to the travel industry on the 19th, a review of December departure bookings from Hana Tour, Modetour, and Chamjoeun Travel showed that compared to the same month last year, bookings for Southeast Asia and Japan increased significantly, while Europe decreased.

In the case of Hana Tour, looking at the bookings by region, Southeast Asia accounted for 61.6% of December reservations, the highest proportion. This represents a 175.2% increase compared to the same month last year and about a 70% recovery compared to 2018 and 2019 before COVID-19. By country, Vietnam accounted for 28.3%, Japan 22.1%, and Thailand 11%.

Modetour also showed that Southeast Asia accounted for more than half of all bookings for December departures, at 61%. Vietnam was the most popular at 45%, followed by Thailand (18%), the Philippines (12%), Taiwan (5%), and Malaysia (5%).

Street Stalls at Famous Tourist Attractions in Vietnam

A Modetour official said, “As the weather has recently become colder, the popularity of Southeast Asia has increased,” adding, “For October, when monthly departures were fully booked, the recovery rate compared to before COVID-19 was about 71%, and a similar level is expected in December.”

Europe did not account for a large share due to seasonal factors, but bookings increased compared to last year, centered on Spain and Western Europe. For Hana Tour, Western Europe bookings in December increased by 60.4%.

A Chamjoeun Travel official explained, “Demand for Japan continues to increase due to factors such as the weak yen, and Southeast Asia is also gaining popularity because of the cold weather. However, Europe is somewhat sluggish due to the Ukraine war and the Israel situation.”

As of the end of October this year, 16,195,725 Korean travelers went abroad, which corresponds to more than one in five citizens. Travel demand is expected to fully recover to pre-COVID-19 levels soon.

The industry expects overseas travel demand, including Southeast Asia and Japan, to continue next year.

An industry official said, “There is still overseas travel demand from those who have not yet made reservations, so a significant recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels is expected by the end of the year,” adding, “Especially with the early arrival of this winter’s cold, the popularity of Southeast Asian regions such as Vietnam with warm weather is expected to continue.”

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