Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 Duty-Free Shop. /Courtesy of News1

This year, as the Seollal holiday is longer than last year, the number of domestic travelers departing and foreign travelers entering is expected to increase.

According to the global one-stop travel platform Trip.com on the 15th, compared to last year's Seollal holiday (from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12, 2024), domestic travelers' overseas travel during this year's Seollal holiday period (from Jan. 25 to Jan. 30, 2025) is predicted to increase by 73.15%. The number of foreign travelers visiting South Korea during the same period is expected to rise by 18.16%. This figure is based on the booking rates for flights, accommodations, and activities reserved for travel during the Seollal holiday period up to the 6th.

The day domestic travelers made the most reservations was on the 25th when the holiday began. For overseas travelers, it was the 26th. When comparing the number of booked products on Jan. 25, when this year's Seollal holiday starts, to Feb. 8, when last year's Seollal holiday started, there was an increase of 84.23%. As the holiday period lengthened, the average length of stay at travel destinations also increased. Domestic travelers' average length of stay abroad was 8.1 days, and overseas travelers' average length of stay in South Korea was recorded at 7.6 days.

The most popular destination among South Korean travelers during the holiday period was Japan. The most frequently reserved locations were Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Thailand's Bangkok and China's Shanghai and Hong Kong followed. The regions in South Korea that overseas travelers visit the most are Seoul, Jeju City, Busan, Incheon, and Seogwipo. Pyeongchang County, Hongcheon County, Chuncheon City, Jeongseon County, and Gangneung City also made the rankings.

Particularly, looking at the ranking of domestic tours and ticket reservations by overseas travelers, after Udo in Jeju Island, Busan's Haeundae Blue Line Park, Nami Island, Nanta in Myeongdong, and Lotte World Adventure were included in the top five. Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort and Eden Valley Resort Ski Resort were also noted in the rankings. There is a high demand for enjoying winter activities in Gangwon Province during the winter season.