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Travelers from all over the world are flocking to a fully open Asia this year for longer journeys across multiple countries.
American travelers in particular are looking east this year. According to data from travel app Hopper, all three happened last summer top trending destinations among American tourists were Asian Capitals of Culture.
Seoul, South Korea is a major destination leading this trend. In fact, Seoul ranks 11th popular city in the world for international touristsaccording to Mastercard’s Global Destinations Cities Index.
The number of tourists to South Korea quadrupled at the beginning of this year, with a total of 4.4 million visitors to the country as of June. Experts say that number is expected to double by the end of the year.
Why is the South Korean capital now more popular than ever before?
Here are four reasons why Seoul is now one of the most popular destinations in the world:
Trendy revival of the Seochon district
The 500-year-old Seochon district has changed a lot of since its heyday in the Joseon era.
Today, the historic district has been restored and given new life, creating a irresistible mix of authenticity and modernity.
An infusion of trendy new businesses and a influx of young creative Koreans Seochon has revived in recent years. Narrow, curved alleys lined with traditional Korean houses (hanok) polished dark wood and white stone give way to creative shops and popular corner cafes.
Tourists are attracted by the authentic atmosphere from the village. Local food stall owner Jo Gyeonghwan told CNA Luxury: “As you explore the alleyways, you will see renovated Hanok-style cafes and restaurants that are not easily found in other areas.”
Recently restored homestays are sold to travelers looking for one unique traditional experience in a lively environment. Architect Park Jung Hyun renovated it houses for many years. With trendy styles “ranging from Korean-Scandinavian design to an earthy-modernist hideaway,” these renovated hanoks offer something for every kind of traveler.
Seoul Set-Jetting
This year, more travelers than ever before are choosing their destinations based on their favorite TV shows and movies on a scorching hot trip trends known as “set jetting.”
XO, Kitty, a spin-off of the record-breaking American Netflix series To all boys, recently ranked #3 on Netflix’s top 10 and generated a cult following of fans. The series is a first of its kind and is based on popular inspirations K dramas while keeping things accessible in an English-language format. The series is takes place almost entirely in Seoul and features some of the city’s famous landmarks.
Fans of the very popular series flock from the US, Europe and beyond to the South Korean capital to see where some of the most epic scenes were filmed. The most iconic places from the series include the love locks at the N Seoul Tower and the Grand Hyatt Seoul.
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And that’s not all XO, Kitty Bringing Western tourists to the locations of their favorite Korean shows.
According to the New York Times, 60% of global Netflix users have watched a Korean TV show or movie. (Earlier this year, Attorney Extraordinary Woo – an inspiring series about an autistic lawyer – rocketed to Netflix’s top 10 in over 50 countries.)
This is according to data from Expedia two-thirds of travelers have considered making a trip based on their favorite shows. As the international fandom of Korean series and movies continues to grow, the set-jetting trend is likely to continue to lean in Seoul’s favor.
Tik Tok tourism and Gen Z trends
Yes, it is another TikTok sensation that is driving a boom in tourism.
‘Personalised color analysis’ is all the rage – and travelers are running straight to Seoul. In a 60-minute consultation, experts discover which colors of clothing, make-up, accessories and hair are most flattering for your skin tone.
According to TIMEthe subject “personal color analysis Korea” has 375 million TikTok views.
While the service has been around for decades for public figures, the Korean beauty industry has taken the lead in making it accessible to everyday people.
Like many other beauty and cosmetic services, personal color analysis prices in Seoul are up to 70% lower than in other major cities such as New York or LAmaking it a motivating factor for international tourism.
In fact, so many tourists come to Seoul for this service that the Korean Tourism Organization has set up an initiative popup color analysis studio at New York’s Rockefeller Center this summer. It should come as no surprise that it was a huge hit, especially among Generation Z.
New direct flights
Today it is easier than ever to fly to the South Korean capital. While Incheon Airport in Seoul has long been a major international flight hub, today it is seeing a wave of new routes from all over the world.
United Airlines increased their flights from San Francisco to Seoul increased by 70% earlier this year, while Virgin Atlantic teased new routes for next year.
Some budget airlines promise prices 20% lower than full-service airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana, making Seoul more accessible to travelers on a lower budget. Low-cost carrier Air Premia also launched a new route Newark to Seoul last May, while North Pacific airlines plans to offer cheaper flights to Seoul and other Asian destinations via Alaska by the end of this year.
In Europe, Prague Airport launched new direct flights to Seoul at the start of the summer season. In Australia, Jetstar also launched a long-awaited service from Sydney to Seoul a few months ago. Asian destinations such as Vietnam, Japan and Singapore also added new routes from both full-service and low cost airlines.
If airlines around the world are doing their utmost to meet the increased demand for flights to Seoulit’s safe to say we’re not the only ones seeing the popularity of this Asian capital skyrocket!
Traveler warning: Don’t forget your travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
