China overtakes Japan as top destination for Korean travelers

China has overtaken Japan as the top travel destination for Koreans, driven by a surge in weekend trips and improved travel conveniences that are reshaping regional tourism patterns. Recent data from Trip.com shows that bookings for round-trip flights departing Korea after 6 p.m. on Fridays and returning by Sunday have surged by more than 150 percent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Notably, more than 80 percent of these bookings were made by solo travelers or pairs, highlighting the growing appeal of quick, flexible getaways over traditional family vacations. Local market research firm Consumer Insight also confirmed China’s rise to the top, naming it the leading overseas destination for Koreans, followed by Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. “The demand for short, spontaneous trips — so-called ‘night goblin’ getaways — has soared, and China’s proximity and evolving travel infrastructure have made it the go-to choice for Korean office workers,” Consumer Insight stated in its latest report released Wednesday. The shift is dWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times