As the winter peak season approaches, overseas travel bookings are on the rise. Preferences for travel destinations vary by departure month. According to data from Moldtour, bookings for trips departing in November are primarily to Japan, while December bookings are dominated by Southeast Asia.
On October 12, Moldtour reported that from October 1 to 11, bookings for overseas travel in November increased by 78.4% compared to the same period in September. December bookings saw an even larger increase of 138.2%.
The number of travelers heading abroad rebounded after the summer. The Korea Tourism Organization noted that in June, 2,004,723 South Koreans traveled overseas, a 10.0% decrease from the same month last year. However, in August, the number rose to 2,431,669, marking a 0.4% increase compared to the previous year and surpassing pre-pandemic levels at 100.2% of August 2019 figures.
November bookings are concentrated in nearby regions such as Japan and China. The breakdown of bookings by region shows Japan at 35.3%, China at 27.5%, Southeast Asia at 24.3%, Europe at 8.3%, and the Americas and South Pacific at 4.5%. The short flight times and high itinerary efficiency to Japan and China are believed to sustain demand for autumn tourism.
Europe experienced the largest growth, with November bookings increasing by 158.3% compared to the same month last year. Japan and China also saw increases of 116.9% and 85%, respectively. While demand for nearby travel continues, bookings for mid-range destinations are also rising.
In December, the ranking of preferred destinations shifted. Southeast Asia topped the list at 36.8%, followed by Japan at 30.6%, China at 19.7%, Europe at 7.9%, and the Americas and South Pacific at 5%. The share of Southeast Asia is 12.5 percentage points higher than in November (24.3%), reflecting seasonal preferences for warm vacation spots in winter.
In terms of year-over-year growth rates, the Americas and South Pacific (240%) and Europe (226.8%) led the increases. Japan and China saw respective increases of 196% and 154%, while Southeast Asia also grew by 84.6%. As travelers finalize their plans ahead of the winter peak season, bookings are increasing for both nearby and mid-range destinations.
A Moldtour representative stated, "As overseas travel bookings for the winter peak season increase in October, recent travel products are being refined to reflect not only price but also the experiences and preferences desired by customers. We will flexibly adjust flight seats and product operations according to regional demand while continuously expanding premium and themed travel products tailored to age and lifestyle to broaden customer choices."
Moldtour is expanding its themed travel products to cater to diverse preferences, moving beyond price as the sole criterion for selecting travel packages. A notable example is the 'Concept Tour,' which combines local experiences with overseas sports events and camping, gaining popularity among travelers.
Additionally, Moldtour plans to enhance the competitiveness of its products in popular nearby regions such as Southeast Asia, Japan, and China. For mid-range destinations like Europe and the Americas, the company aims to broaden product choices based on customer preferences and travel purposes, offering premium products like 'Mold Signature' and 'High Class,' as well as small group options like 'ONLY Us.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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