Foreign tourists enrolled in a travel package linking Korean language schools with accommodations. Courtesy of Creatrip
As foreign visitors to Korea reached a first-quarter record of 4.76 million this year, demand also grew for travel packages built around "one-month living programs," where visitors spend an extended period experiencing daily life and culture more closely.
Creatrip, an inbound travel platform, said Tuesday that booking revenue for these monthlong stays rose 272 percent year over year between Jan. 1 and May 10.
By country, Taiwanese tourists accounted for 60 percent of the total booking value, the largest share, jumping 172 percent from the same period last year. Hong Kong remained in second place for the second consecutive year. Japanese tourists emerged as a key market, making up 10 percent of the bookings.
Creatrip attributed the spike to the global popularity of Korean media and the rise of remote work, which allows travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture.
