Korean travelers favor nearby Asia as Europe, North America lose ground
Lee Ji-yeon, an office worker in her 30s, traveled solo to Japan's Kyoto in early October. She had considered destinations such as Canada and Australia, but ultimately opted for a shorter trip closer to home. "It was difficult for me to take a long day off work, and considering the cost of airfare, I thought it would make more sense to take a short trip to a nearby country," she said. A Seoul…
Korean travelers are increasingly favoring nearby Asian destinations over Europe and North America, according to recent data. This shift is evident in the travel choices of individuals like Lee Ji-yeon, a 30-year-old office worker who opted for a short trip to Japan's Kyoto rather than a longer journey to Canada or Australia. The difficulty of taking extended time off work and the cost of airfare influenced her decision.
Similarly, Park, a 60-year-old Seoul resident, plans to visit Hong Kong with friends in December, citing the physical demands of long-distance travel and the convenience of traveling within Asia. These personal preferences reflect a broader trend, with data showing that Asia now accounts for 74.3 percent of Koreans' overseas travel spending in the first half of the year, up from 60.4 percent in the same period last year. This indicates a significant decline in travel to Europe and North America.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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