Overseas Travel During Lunar New Year Holiday Doubles... Japan and Southeast Asia Neck and Neck

Major Travel Agency Booking Rates Increase Year-on-Year
Demand Concentrated in Nearby Areas
Time Until Holidays Remains... Bookings Expected to Rise Further

Ahead of the 2024 Gapjin Year Lunar New Year holiday (February 9-12), major travel agencies have seen their overseas travel reservation rates nearly double compared to the previous year. Relatively nearby destinations such as Japan and Southeast Asia are popular. Since there is still nearly a month left before the departure dates, there is a high possibility of additional reservation demand. The travel industry, which successfully rebounded last year due to an increase in overseas travelers following the transition to endemic (periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases), is expected to continue its upward trend in the new year.

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 departure hall is bustling with international travelers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the travel industry on the 14th, Hana Tour's overseas travel reservation rate for this year's Lunar New Year holiday increased by 48% compared to last year's holiday period. By departure date, the reservation rate was highest on the first day of the holiday, February 9, at 29%, with the day before departure also accounting for 24%. This was followed by February 11 at 18%, February 10 at 16%, and February 12 at 13%.

By region, Southeast Asia accounted for 57%, ranking first, and Japan accounted for 25%, with most demand concentrated in nearby areas. Europe and the South Pacific followed at 6% each, and China, where group tours resumed from the first half of last year, also recorded a reservation rate of 5%. A Hana Tour representative said, "Since this year's Lunar New Year holiday is only four days long, most people seem to prefer short-distance destinations," adding, "Reservation rates are expected to increase further during the remaining period before the holiday starts."

Modetour reported that as of about one month before the Lunar New Year holiday, overseas travel reservation rates have increased by 103% compared to the same period last year. By region, Southeast Asia ranked first at 49%, followed by Japan (22%), the Americas and South Pacific (9%), China (6%), and Europe (4%), showing a significantly high proportion of short-distance travel.

Norangpungseon also stated that the reservation rate for overseas travel package products during the Lunar New Year holiday rose by about 50% compared to the same period last year. The popular destination for this travel agency was confirmed to be Japan. Among these, Hokkaido was the most preferred region, accounting for about 28% of total reservations, with Kyushu and Osaka also attracting interest.

A Norangpungseon representative said, "During last year's Lunar New Year holiday, customers overwhelmingly booked Southeast Asian resorts such as Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines," adding, "This year, the overall reservation rate for Japan has increased by more than 50% compared to the previous year, placing it among the top destinations, which is a notable feature."

Otaru, Japan
[Photo by Kyowon Tour]

In addition, Kyowon Tour's 'Yeohaengiji' reported that its overseas travel package reservation rate for the Lunar New Year holiday increased by about 23% compared to the same period last year. Japan ranked first with 20.8% of total reservations. The company explained that this is the first time since the transition to endemic that a single country has exceeded 20% of the total reservation share.

This was followed by Vietnam (11.7%), Western Europe (9.6%), Thailand (9.0%), Taiwan (8.7%), Southern Europe (6.1%), Cambodia (5.6%), China (4.3%), the Philippines (3.7%), and the Mediterranean (3.5%). The increase in travelers seeking 'gasimbi' (psychological satisfaction relative to price), regardless of cost, is also notable. For example, Hokkaido in Japan, which includes Sapporo, Biei, Otaru, and Hakodate, sees a surge in winter demand, resulting in high airfare and accommodation costs. However, despite package prices exceeding 1.8 million KRW during this Lunar New Year holiday, most reservations have been fully booked, demonstrating its popularity.

A Yeohaengiji representative said, "It is currently difficult to secure airline seats departing during the Lunar New Year holiday in Japan, so travelers are changing their destinations to Taiwan or Southeast Asia," adding, "Products to short-distance destinations are expected to sell out quickly." They also said, "There is still time before the holiday, and new reservation inquiries continue to come in," predicting, "Both reservation rates and the number of travelers dispatched will increase significantly compared to last year's Lunar New Year holiday."

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