Annual Leave Is Precious and Costs Are High... "Up to 5 Days" Golden Holiday Crowds Flock to Nearby Destinations

During the May golden holiday, outbound travel demand was concentrated on short-haul destinations such as Japan, China, and Vietnam. Experts note that amid high exchange rates and ongoing fuel surcharges, a trend toward "practical travel"-maximizing efficiency within limited schedules-has become firmly established.

Travelers visiting Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 are lining up to check in.

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On May 4, Yellow Balloon Tours announced that, based on its May reservation data, Japan ranked first with 27%, followed by China at 25% and Vietnam at 11%. The top three countries accounted for 63% of all bookings, highlighting a pronounced preference for nearby destinations.

Reservations were heavily concentrated on destinations that could be visited within three to four days, such as Fukuoka, Zhangjiajie, and Da Nang. This reflects a trend of "selective and focused travel," where travelers prioritize efficiency during short trips.

The fact that public holidays such as Labor Day (May 1) and Children's Day (May 5) fell close together, allowing for a maximum five-day holiday with just one day of annual leave, also played a role. As a result, demand increased for short weekend trips departing on Friday and returning on Sunday, with consumers seeking to minimize the burden of taking leave from work.

By travel group type, family travelers accounted for the largest share at approximately 33%. This included not only families with young children, but also trips with adult children and even three-generation family vacations. Even as overall travel demand has somewhat contracted, family trips have remained relatively stable.

A representative from Yellow Balloon Tours commented, "This May golden holiday was characterized less by an overall increase in demand and more by a shift toward practical travel styles in response to cost pressures," adding, "During short holidays, selective spending focused on nearby destinations continues to be a dominant trend."

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