Changing Travel Trends: Women and Young Men Take the Lead in Korea’s Domestic and International Travel

Change in Domestic and International Travel Trends: Women and Young Men Taking the Lead

A recent report by Consumer Insight reveals significant changes in the travel patterns of Koreans, both domestically and internationally. These changes can be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn, and shifts in leisure activities.

Shift in Domestic Travel: Women Taking the Lead

One notable change is the shift in the core consumer group for domestic travel from men in their 30s and 40s to women in the same age group. The travel plans of women in their 30s and 40s have shown a substantial increase compared to men in the same age group.

This shift is not only reflected in travel plans but also in the higher increase in travel intentions among women. Factors such as cost considerations and the desire to meet friends or acquaintances have influenced this change in travel preferences.

Increase in Young Male Travelers for International Travel

On the other hand, there has been a noticeable increase in young male travelers, commonly known as “Idaenam,” for international travel. While young women in their 20s and 30s, who were previously the core consumer group for international travel, have maintained their average travel experience rate, young men in their 20s have shown the highest travel experience rate and intention for international travel.

Experts attribute this phenomenon to the relative stability of employment and improved quality of life among the younger generation. The popularity of travel apps and the acceptance of K-culture have also played a role in the increased travel intentions among young men.

Changes in Travel Preferences: Cost, Accessibility, and Value for Money

Both domestic and international travel preferences have seen changes in terms of cost, accessibility, and value for money. Travelers have become more cost-sensitive, with a significant increase in the proportion of people considering cost when choosing travel destinations.

Domestic travel has focused on the metropolitan area, while international travel has been concentrated in Japan and Southeast Asia, highlighting the importance of accessibility. However, psychological accessibility has become more crucial than physical accessibility when selecting travel destinations.

Furthermore, the importance of value for money in travel has increased. Domestic travelers prioritize cost when choosing accommodation and reduce expenses on activities such as sightseeing, meals, and entertainment. On the other hand, international travelers place more emphasis on overall value for money and are willing to pay 7.7 times the average cost of domestic travel.

Impact of COVID-19: Contrasting Recovery Paths

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on both domestic and international travel. However, international travel has been more severely affected and is recovering at a slower pace compared to domestic travel.

Consumer Insight suggests that the recovery of international travel could potentially have a further impact on domestic travel, potentially causing it to decline. This report emphasizes the need to consider the interdependence of domestic and international travel and the resilience of international travel in future travel trends.

Overall, the changing travel trends in Korea reflect the preferences and priorities of travelers influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic conditions, and changes in leisure activities.

Source: Newsis