More vacationers choosing off-peak travel

Duty free shops at Incheon International Airport bustle with travelers on Monday. [NEWS1]

The traditional summer break used to be in July and August, but more Koreans are opting for early or later than the peak season to avoid congestion.

Recent survey results reflected the preferences of savvy travelers who seek less congestion and more budget-friendly travel experiences.

The number of Koreans traveling abroad in June, typically considered an off-peak period, has seen an average annual growth rate of 12.7 percent over the past five years, according to recent data compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization. This growth rate surpasses the average of 8.3 percent recorded during the same period and exceeds the growth rates of the peak summer months, namely July with 9.5 percent and August with 5.8 percent.

A survey conducted by Jeju Air via their social media platforms further confirms this trend.

Among respondents planning their summer vacations this year, 42 percent expressed their intention to take their breaks in May, June, September or October, deliberately avoiding the crowded months of July and August.

Notably, 52 percent of those who preferred non-peak periods cited high travel costs during July and August as the primary reason for their choice.

The reservation rate for Jeju Air's key short-haul routes in June is hovering around the 85 percent range as of Tuesday.

According to the company, routes to Sapporo, Hanoi, and Saipan are experiencing high reservation rates in the late 80 percent range, while Vientiane and Taipei are seeing reservation rates in the mid-80s.

The aviation industry anticipates that the trend will persist due to increased air travel demand resulting from China's reopening, coupled with the prevailing preference for rational consumption amid the economic slowdown.

"The trend is expected to continue this year," an official from Jeju Air said.

In response to the growing number of so-called early vacationers, the budget airline announced promotional airfare deals for routes to Ulaanbaatar, Ho Chi Minh City and Oita in June, which will be available until the end of the month.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]