Are multi-generational family trips really on the rise in Korea? And which destinations are benefiting?
⚠️ All rights reserved. Cite this piece as 'ONDA (온다)' when quoting.
In This Issue
🏨 43% of Koreans take three-generation family trips to build stronger bonds
💡 Global tourism hits 96% of pre-pandemic levels
⌨️ #CapitalRegionHotels #TravelAI #JejuAccommodation #PerennialHocance #APACHotelTransactions
🏠 Industry Deep Dive
43% of Koreans Take Multi-Generational Trips to Strengthen Family Bonds
Hope everyone's recovering well from the long Chuseok holiday! I'm still dealing with the post-break slump myself. Wishing you all an energized week ahead.
Speaking of Chuseok — while many head to their hometowns, more and more families are turning the holiday into a travel opportunity. Recently, Booking.com published research on 'multi-generational family travel' — trips where grandparents, parents, and grandkids all travel together. Let's dive in.
Why Travel Together? Because We're Family.
According to the study, 43% of Korean respondents cited "strengthening family bonds and creating unforgettable memories" as the top benefit of multi-gen trips. Another 40% said it was a chance to "reconnect with family members they don't see often."
The ideal trip length? 4 to 6 days. As for accommodation, 56% preferred hotels, 44% chose resorts — notably higher than the Asia-Pacific average.
Makes sense. When you're traveling with a big family, you want strong hospitality service, easy dining, and convenient logistics. Hotels and resorts check those boxes.
So are multi-gen trips actually growing in Korea? And which destinations are winning?
👉<Read: 43% of Koreans Take Multi-Generational Trips to Strengthen Family Bonds>
💡 Hospitality Trends
Global Tourism Recovers to 96% of Pre-Pandemic Levels
TL;DR: Asia-Pacific's rebound drives global tourism recovery to 96% of 2019 levels.
The story: Earlier this year, we reported that 2023 saw global tourism reach 88% of pre-pandemic levels. This year, thanks to a strong recovery in the Asia-Pacific region, international tourism hit 96% of 2019 levels through July.
Last year, while the Middle East and Europe neared full recovery, APAC lagged at 65%. This year, APAC surged to 82% by July — and reached 86% in July alone, signaling it's on track for complete recovery.
Travel experts say the biggest headwinds? Inflation driving up transportation and accommodation costs. But despite global economic uncertainty, labor shortages, and extreme weather, international tourism is expected to fully surpass pre-COVID levels by the end of 2024.
⌨️ Keyword Roundup
1️⃣ Capital Region Hotel Revenue 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: H1 revenue for Seoul/Gyeonggi/Incheon hotels up 63% vs. 2022.
The story: According to an ONDA report, hotel revenue in the capital region jumped 63% in the first half of 2024 compared to two years ago, driven by rebounding inbound tourism and sustained demand for local staycations.
The report? Based on 1.56 million real booking transactions processed through ONDA HUB, Korea's largest integrated distribution system. Full report available on the [ONDA blog].
2️⃣ AI in Travel Planning 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: 1 in 5 travelers now use AI to plan trips.
The story: 22.8% of global travelers now use AI tools to help plan their trips — up over 40% from September last year. Travel AI adoption is accelerating fast.
What's the experience like? 71.1% of AI users said it helped them discover activities and local attractions. 57.8% said it saved them time planning.
3️⃣ Jeju Accommodation Growth 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Jeju lodging count up 374 properties year-over-year.
The story: Through August 2024, 389 Jeju accommodation businesses closed. But new openings outpaced closures, with the island adding 374 properties (453 rooms) net.
What's the outlook? Domestic tourism to Jeju is down ~6% YoY, yet supply keeps growing. Competition among Jeju properties is only getting fiercer.
4️⃣ Perennial Hocance 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: 'Perennial hocance' packages for parents and kids gain traction.
The story: Gen Z's recent trend of sharing "trips with mom" and "trips with mom and dad" content is catching on. Hotels are now launching 'perennial hocance' packages for parents and adult children to enjoy together.
What's 'perennial'? People who transcend generational labels and behaviors. These packages — golf, camping, wellness — are designed to appeal to both Gen X and Gen Z.
5️⃣ APAC Hotel Transactions 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Hotel transaction volume in Asia-Pacific up 19% YoY.
The story: H1 2024 saw hotel deal volume in the APAC region rise 19% vs. last year. Japan, China, Korea, and Singapore are drawing strong investor interest.
The outlook? As of June 2024, APAC hotels recorded RevPAR at 89% of 2019 levels and occupancy at 96%. As performance improves, investment is expected to accelerate further.