By route, the Seoul–Busan route recorded the highest usage rate. The Seoul–Daejeon route ranked fourth with a growth rate of 1,840%. The Seoul–Jeonju (989%), Seoul–Gangneung (415%), and Seoul–Gyeongju (300%) routes also saw significant increases.
Trip.com is expanding its collaboration with local governments and tourism partners to revitalize regional tourism for visitors to South Korea. Last April, Trip.com signed an exclusive distribution agreement with “Petit France and Italian Village” in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, and has since been exclusively handling the sale of its products. For about three months following the agreement, the company has been promoting individual products and day tours on its international websites.
Regional cultural experience packages launched in collaboration with Nami Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, are also gaining popularity among international travelers. The “School Uniform Experience” program, introduced this year, has attracted interest from both domestic and international travelers, boosting Nami Island’s sales in the first half of this year by 40% compared to the same period last year. Trip.com is considering launching a new package combining Nami Island and Petite France. On Jeju Island, the company organized the “Sound of Trip” busking tour featuring the girl band QWER.
Collaboration with local governments is also continuing in various areas. Last year, Trip.com Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tourism exchange with the City of Busan, and this year, it signed an MOU with North Gyeongsang Province to expand the promotion and sales of tourism products. It is also running a promotional campaign to boost usage by Japanese travelers of “C-Tour Bus,” a super-regional tourism and transportation brand jointly promoted by North Chungcheong Province and South Chungcheong Province.
Interest in regional travel is also growing among domestic travelers. This summer, domestic accommodation bookings through Trip.com increased by 122% compared to the previous year. Among domestic train routes, the Seoul–Gyeongju route saw a 1,600% increase compared to the same period last year, emerging as a major travel destination.
Hong Jong-min, Country Manager of Trip.com Korea, said, “Leveraging our global network and marketing capabilities, Trip.com is focused on promoting the unique charms of each region in Korea to both domestic and international travelers.” He added, “We will continue to expand our collaboration with regional tourism partners and local governments, and consistently introduce distinctive tourism content that satisfies both the regions and travelers.”
