Big data reveals 6 trending domestic travel spots for 2025. Explore regional highlights and the hottest travel destinations shaping Korea's tourism landscape.
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In This Week's Weekly ON
🏨 What Are Korea's Hottest Travel Destinations Right Now?
💡 Korea-China Routes Reopen — Chinese Tourist Numbers Surge
⌨️ #UltraShortTermRentals #ChosunHotel #GoAnywhere #YeogiEottae #HospitalitySlump
🏠 Industry Deep Dive
Big Data Reveals 6 Trending Domestic Travel Spots for 2025
Hello, Weekly ON readers!
Today, we're sharing insights from Korea Tourism Data Lab on 6 domestic travel destinations to watch in 2025, based on big data analysis. Let's explore regional highlights and the hottest travel spots together!
1. Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do — Family-Friendly Favorite
Hongcheon-gun saw a 21% year-over-year increase in out-of-town visitors from 2023 to 2024, cementing its status as a "family-friendly" travel destination. Summer vacation season (June–August) visits jumped 31%, while fall camping season (September–November) visits rose 29%.
- Yongoreung Valley: Natural rock slides make this valley perfect for families — varied water depths accommodate all ages (670% YoY increase)
- The Park 12: Glamping site with open fields and a lake; bungalows offer lakeside fishing (121%▲)
- Sono Pet Club & Resort: A pet-friendly resort designed with your dog's movement patterns and eye level in mind (65%▲)
- Gongjaksan Sutasa Ecological Forest: 163 hectares of pristine forest surrounding the thousand-year-old Sutasa Temple; free guided forest tours available (5,953%▲)
2. Jung-gu, Incheon — Coastal Escape
Jung-gu, Incheon recorded the highest growth rate (32%) in out-of-town visitors among Seoul metropolitan destinations, driven by new coastal attractions. Unseo-dong, home to Inspire Entertainment Resort, saw visitor numbers spike 57%.
- Inspire Arena: Korea's first multi-purpose indoor concert hall, hosting K-pop concerts, classical performances, and more (604%▲)
- Pororo & Tayo Theme Park Wolmido Branch: Massive 4,200-pyeong indoor theme park (2nd in cultural tourism sites)
- Sangsang Platform: Converted grain warehouse turned cultural complex in Incheon Port (672%▲)
- Hanagae Beach: Beach with tidal flat experiences (638%▲)
Today's featured destinations all showed strong growth in out-of-town visitors, navigation searches, and social media mentions — emerging travel hotspots worth watching. But what's trending in Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang provinces?
👉<Continue Reading>
💡 Hospitality Trends
Korea-China Routes Reopen — Chinese Tourist Numbers Surge
TL;DR: Air routes between Korea and China are expanding after years of disruption from THAAD (2016) and the pandemic (2020). Chinese tourists are returning in droves.
The story:
The recovery began in earnest when China granted visa-free entry (up to 15 days) to Korean travelers last November. From November 2024 to March 2025, flights between the two countries hit 45,157 — up 9.9% YoY — while passenger traffic reached 5.72 million (29.4%▲).
Chinese visitors to Korea surged 31.8% to 2.12 million from September 2024 to February 2025, averaging 350,000 per month. While still below the pre-pandemic 500,000 monthly average, the rebound is unmistakable.
Airlines are racing to expand China routes. Korean Air increased weekly China flights to 195 this summer — 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Asiana Airlines expanded Chengdu, Chongqing, and Yanji service. Budget carriers are restoring suspended routes and launching new ones. Incheon Airport's Q1 passenger count hit a record 17.4 million, with China routes accounting for 2.66 million (24%▲).
Travel and retail sectors are buzzing. Home shopping channels expanded China tour program airtime by 60%. Hana Tour saw Q1 China package bookings jump 61%. One Seoul tourist hotel reported 60% Chinese guests in April — versus just 5% a year earlier.
The government is considering visa-free entry for Chinese group tours starting Q3 (July–September), fueling further optimism. If the trend continues, the influx could provide a much-needed lift to Korea's sluggish domestic economy.
⌨️ News in Brief
1️⃣ Ultra-Short-Term Rentals 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Ultra-short-term rentals are slowly chipping away at hospitality demand.
The story: Workers on extended business trips are flocking to week-long rental housing over hotels. "Samsam M2" posted Q1 contracts and transaction volume up 3x YoY. "Liv Anywhere" saw ultra-short rental listings nearly double from 6,700 in 2023 to 12,000 in 2024.
2️⃣ Chosun Hotel Outperforms 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Chosun Hotel posts record results while rest of sector struggles.
The story: Chosun Hotel & Resort reported ₩655B in revenue (17.8%▲ YoY) and ₩41.5B in operating profit (3%▲) — a record high. Foreign guests account for over 80% of occupancy at Seoul downtown properties.
3️⃣ Go Anywhere 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: May holiday weekend top travel search = "anywhere cheap."
The story: With Labor Day, Buddha's Birthday, and Children's Day substitute holiday creating a golden week in May, Skyscanner data reveals Koreans prioritize price over destination when booking trips.
4️⃣ Yeogi Eottae 2024 Results 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Yeogi Eottae posted ₩249B revenue, ₩56.5B operating profit in 2024.
The story: Operating profit rose 22% YoY to ₩56.5B. Active users surpassed 12 million, driving gross merchandise volume up 14%. International accommodation bookings jumped 2.3x.
5️⃣ Hospitality Sector Slump Persists 👉[Full story]
TL;DR: Accommodation and food service slump hits 22-month record.
The story: Korea's accommodation and food service production index fell 3.8% YoY to 103.8 in February 2025 — marking 22 consecutive months of decline (excluding one "flat" month in January 2024). It's the longest slump on record.