The Korean American travel industry is experiencing a remarkable surge in demand as the number of Koreans traveling for the Labor Day holiday increases.
Korean American travel agencies in Los Angeles report that the occupancy rate for major holiday tours is double that of the previous year, with over 90 percent of tours already booked or sold out.
This spike is attributed to Labor Day falling on a Monday, which offers travelers flexible two-, three-, or four-night itineraries. Furthermore, the increased travel demand is driven by the opportunity to enjoy the first extended weekend since the end of the pandemic.
In terms of preferences, many Korean Americans are leaning towards nature experiences like national parks for this Labor Day holiday.
Youngim Shin, vice president of Samho Tours, said, “Air tours with 4-5 day itineraries such as Canada/Rockies, Canada/Niagara, and Big Rock Face/Crazy Horse have surged by over 40%. We’re nearing full capacity for tours to locations like Yosemite/San Francisco, Antelope Canyon, Zion/Bryce Canyon, and Grand Circle/Sedona, which are offered by VVIP limousine bus.”
Helen Park, director of Aju Tours, remarked, “There’s been a 100% increase in customers from last year. Trips like the three-day Sedona/Oak Creek or Entelope Canyon/Monument Valley on a 32-seat VVIP bus and the four-day Yosemite/San Francisco trip are popular. Additionally, our Yellowstone four-day tour is nearly fully booked.”
Moon-sik Lee, director of Blue Tours, said, “We’re seeing an influx of Korean tourists to destinations like Yellowstone, Sedona, and Yosemite. The occupancy rate for our 2-3 day tours surpasses 90%. Notably, we’ve opened a parking lot that can accommodate up to 100 cars at our Stanton office for customer convenience. Those traveling through Los Angeles can even join us en route.”
Post-pandemic trends also show a rise in demand from families and smaller groups.
Grace Lee, a team leader at Four Seasons Tours and Travel, shared, “We’ve noticed an uptick in family and small group bookings. Popular destinations include Sedona, San Francisco/Yosemite, Lake Tahoe/Sacramento, and even golf tours spanning five days. We’ve also arranged a bus tour to Santa Barbara tailored for Korean seniors seeking a straightforward trip. In the coming months, we aim to roll out affordable one-day tour services, regardless of the agency’s revenue.”
The strong dollar is further propelling the desire for international travel.
Steve Cho, vice president of Mire Travel, noted, “Given the strength of the dollar, many prefer international travel over domestic trips impacted by inflation. We’re launching a Northern Europe tour this holiday, attracting nearly 30 participants. With the yen weakening, many Koreans are also inclined to visit Japan or their homeland.”
Sung-geun Kim, CEO of Dream Tour, highlighted, “Over 140 individuals have already reserved spots on our European tours scheduled for September and October.”
Billy Chang, president of Elite Tours, chimed in about the popularity of luxury golf tours. “Our premium golf resort tours, like those to Pebble Beach, the Oregon Vandals, and San Francisco, are fully booked. Additionally, there’s consistent demand for Hawaiian cruises featuring golf and luxury trips to destinations like Switzerland, Africa, Antarctica, and South America.”
BY NAKI PARK [naki@koreadaily.com]
