Travel demand soars ahead of six-day-long Chuseok holiday

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South Korean government’s designation of October 2 as a temporary holiday is spurring travel demand, with individuals scheduling to visit major holiday destinations at home and abroad.

The daily average booking rate at Hana Tour Service Inc., the country’s top travel agency, surged by more than 19 percent between September 27 and 29 compared with that of late July and early August, the busiest vacation weeks of the year.

Another travel agency, Very Good Tour Co., also saw departure reservations during the Chuseok holiday season surpass 10,000 as of the end of August, including group packages and flight bookings. The record-high figure is more than 4,000 from a peak of 6,138 departures during the previous Chuseok holiday in 2019 before the air travel industry was hit by the pandemic.

Long-distance flights to Europe are also popular as the temporary holiday on October 2 allows individuals to enjoy up to 11 days off if they take 3 days off from September 25 and 27.

Kyowon Tour said that booking rates for long-distance packages departing as soon as September 28 stands at nearly 80 percent.

Demand for domestic travel packages is also high, making it almost impossible now to buy a flight to Jeju Island. Accommodation on the island is also nearly fully booked, particularly with travelers also from China.

“The remaining few rooms are swiftly getting reserved as the six-day holiday has become official,” Yoon Ji-sook, the head of public relations at Haevichi Hotel & Resort Co.