Koreans favoring Japan for Lunar New Year travels

Due to the short holiday period and the weakness of the yen, those flying internationally are most often choosing Japan — Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo in that order.

Incheon International Airport is crowded with tourists on Jan. 1. [YONHAP]

Koreans will be visiting nearby destinations during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday, which lasts from Jan. 21 to 24.

Seollal, or the Lunar New Year, falls on Jan. 22.

Demand for domestic tours and those in nearby countries such as Japan is high, according to TMON.

Due to the short holiday period and the weakness of the yen, those flying internationally are most often choosing Japan — Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo in that order.

Compared to last year’s new year holiday period, sales of international tickets are up 4,721 percent. Domestic ticket sales have increased 30 percent. Domestic ticket sales are up 42 percent compared to the pre-pandemic era in early 2020.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]