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| Hotels.com data shows a rising trend that the star rating was the top criteria when people were searching for hotels. Luxury hotels have gained an edge among local travelers, as people have sought luxurious replacements for international travel amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. gettyimagesbank |
By Jun Ji-hye
To people longing for travel, 2021 has been a tantalizing period, as they have hoped for good news that they will be able to continue exploring destinations they love.
Hotels.com, a global online travel agency, unveiled data analyzing these aspiring travelers' minds that shows behavioral changes over the past year and their expectations when they plan for upcoming summer trips.
Reach for the stars
Hotel staycations at domestic destinations increased considerably after COVID-19 broke out in January last year, as people here have sought luxurious replacements for international travel that has been restricted amid the prolonged pandemic.
Hotels.com said its data has shown a rising trend since last year that hotel star ratings were the top criteria when people were searching for accommodation, and 4.5- and five-star hotels have gained an edge among domestic travelers.
This was supported further by the company's previous "Weekendmoon Report," as the survey results showed that 42 percent of respondents who plan a romantic domestic weekend getaway would book five-star luxury hotels, followed by pool villas at 40 percent and beach resorts at 34 percent.
With travelers in Korea favoring the experience, relaxation was at the forefront when planning a getaway.
Compared to pre-pandemic numbers tallied in 2019, last-minute searches for hotels surged while same day bookings increased 21 percent.
Road trips with 'extended' family
Travelers looked at road trips as a more "new normal" means of travel.
Apart from luxurious local getaways with loved ones, another salient feature in domestic journeys was that it was relatively easy to bring companion animals with them to travel destinations.
The firm's data showed that there has been a continuous increase in searches for "pet friendly" and "free parking" amenity types, especially during the pandemic. As many opted to travel with their companion animals to nearby destinations by car, these two searches have become popular among customers.
"There have been significant changes in travel options, from international to domestic and from city to suburb," said Jason Kim, director of Hotels.com Korea. "However, these shifts have not dampened travelers' desire to journey forward. While international travel has been restricted for much of the past year, the pandemic hasn't stopped aspiring travelers from searching for their destinations locally."
Travel recovery visible
According to the data, growth has been visible in overall travel searches in 2021.
Searches for Jeju Island, for example, jumped 97 percent from 2020 to 2021, apparently because travelers have been regaining confidence in travel gradually.
"Approaching the summer holiday, we are seeing a strong demand for domestic holidays as people look to embrace new travel experiences after living with COVID-19 restrictions for more than a year," Kim said.
While international travel remains limited, Korean travelers are seeking experiences outside their cities.
Jeju Island has become the most-searched and -booked destination for local travelers on Hotels.com, followed by Gangwon Province and Busan.
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| Travelers enjoy summer vacation at Geumneung Beach on Jeju Island. Courtesy of Jeju Tourism Organization |
Gangwon Province has emerged as the new favored destination for quick weekend getaways, taking the lead over Busan. This may be due to the fact that Gangwon is easier to access from Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan area, compared with Busan.
When it comes to resting, "hotels" were second to none, with 87 percent of travelers selecting them as their most desired accommodation type. Meanwhile, searches for "resorts" showed a rise, especially for the summer. These reveal travelers' strong desire to take a break from the hustle and bustle of their city lives.
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