94% of global hotel decision-makers plan to increase technology investment over the next 12 months.
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In This Week's ON
🏨 94% of hotel leaders say they'll boost tech investment next year
💡 Chuseok holiday stimulus plan: What's in it for travel?
⌨️ #ChuseokTravel #DomesticTravelRate #JulyInboundTourism #TouristShoppingTrends #RuralWorkation
🏠 Industry Focus
94% of Hotel Leaders Say They'll Boost Tech Investment Next Year
"Historically, tech investment in hospitality has been modest—rarely exceeding 2% of revenue. But today's tech landscape offers an unprecedented opportunity for the industry to invest and grow." (Floor Bleeker, Accor CTO)
Global interest and investment in hospitality tech is surging. Large hotel chains and independent mid-sized properties alike are adopting technology to streamline operations.
Several factors are driving this shift. First, guest expectations have risen. Today's travelers want more than a bed—they expect personalized offers and elevated service.
Post-pandemic labor shortages and rising operating costs have also accelerated tech adoption. Facing workforce constraints, hotels are turning to tech to improve efficiency—cutting costs while maintaining or improving service quality.
A recent Amadeus survey of hotel decision-makers worldwide revealed just how committed the industry is to tech investment.
94% of global hotel decision-makers plan to increase tech spending over the next 12 months. Of those, 21% intend to boost investment by more than 20% compared to last year.
Only 6% said they wouldn't invest in tech—a strikingly small minority.
So what technologies are global hoteliers prioritizing?
👉<94% of Hotel Leaders Say They'll Boost Tech Investment Next Year>
💡 Hospitality Trends
Chuseok Holiday Stimulus Plan: What's in It for Travel?
On August 28, the Korean government unveiled its 'Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Plan'—which includes several measures to boost domestic travel and regional tourism.
Highway tolls will be waived for four days during the Chuseok holiday (September 15–18). Discount programs for KTX and SRT rail packages will also run. To ease parking constraints, airports, schools, and public agency lots will open for free.
Domestic travel support programs are expanding in scale and duration. Through the 'Accommodation Sale Festa,' 500,000 discount vouchers will be distributed for stays outside the Seoul metro area. The redemption deadline has been extended from mid-October to the end of November.
Local governments will also offer additional discounts. The 'vacation support program' for SME workers—which subsidizes domestic travel—will expand from 150,000 to 200,000 participants.
⌨️ Keyword News
1️⃣ Chuseok Travel Demand 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Up to 9-day Chuseok holiday driving travel surge
The story: With the upcoming Chuseok break, travel demand is spiking. Overseas bookings are up double digits year-over-year, and major hotels and resorts are fully booked.
Domestic travel? The 'Korea Accommodation Sale Festa' launched on August 27. It's expected to boost domestic travel significantly during the holiday.
2️⃣ Domestic Travel Rate 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: July overnight travel rate hits 66.6%, steady climb continues
The story: The domestic overnight travel rate in July reached 66.6%—continuing an upward trend since February. Average trip length was 2.95 days, with per-person spending at ₩231,000.
Accommodation choices? Top factors were proximity to attractions/transport (20.1%), cost (19.8%), and surroundings/scenery (15%). Compared to pre-COVID, more travelers now prioritize price.
3️⃣ July Inbound Tourism 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: 1.41M visitors to Korea in July—97% of 2019 levels
The story: Foreign arrivals in July hit 1.41 million, up 36.5% year-over-year. Top source markets: China (~460K), Japan (~240K), Taiwan (~140K), U.S. (~120K), Hong Kong (~60K).
Outbound travel? Koreans traveling abroad in July numbered ~2.5 million—up 16.2% YoY. That's 1.8x the number of inbound visitors.
4️⃣ Tourist Shopping Trends 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Foreign tourists shifting from duty-free to street retail
The story: Shopping patterns among foreign visitors are shifting toward street chains like Olive Young and Daiso. According to the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, 48.4% of foreign tourists chose street retail as their shopping venue.
Spending? In H1 2024, foreign sales at Olive Young stores nationwide surged 189% YoY. Meanwhile, duty-free spending came in at ~₩5.8 trillion—half of 2019 levels.
5️⃣ Rural Workation 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Rural travel embracing 'runcation' trend
The story: Neologisms like chon-cance (rural + vacances) are emerging as rural tourism gains traction. The trend emphasizes 'runcation' (learning + vacation)—blending rest, experience, and education.
Popular regions? South and North Jeolla provinces (12.4% and 12.1% respectively)—both along the west coast—are top picks for rural getaways.