As the peak travel season approaches in July and August, demand for travel and leisure activities is significantly increasing, highlighting a trend towards seeking unique vacation spots. Indonesia is emerging as a popular destination, following Japan and Vietnam.
◆ Indonesia Ranks Third Among Popular Overseas Destinations; Manado Reservations Up 14%
On July 3, leisure platform Nolyuniverse analyzed booking data for July and August, revealing that Indonesia, with 5% of flight bookings, ranks third among popular overseas destinations, following Japan at 35% and Vietnam at 21%.
The rise in travel demand for Indonesia is driven not only by the well-known Bali but also by the emerging destination of Manado. An analysis of second-quarter booking data from Kyowon Tour shows that Manado accounted for 20% of Southeast Asia bookings, a 14 percentage point increase from the previous quarter.
The improvement in accessibility due to the launch of new direct flights last year, combined with its natural environment featuring volcanic landscapes and beaches, aligns with travelers' desires for new destinations. Kyowon Tour's live commerce channel, Easy Time Deal, featured Manado and conducted an encore broadcast due to high interest. The travel industry is targeting new demand with products that combine no-tip, no-option, and no-shopping coral tours with national park visits.
◆ Domestic Accommodation Bookings Surge 68%; Constitution Day Holiday Peaks
Domestic travel demand is also thriving. This summer, domestic accommodation bookings have increased by 68% compared to the same period last year, with camping, caravan, and glamping reservations rising by 102%.
Regionally, Gangwon Province leads with 23% of bookings, followed by Jeju Island at 11% and Busan at 9%. Notably, demand in Gangwon is evenly spread across the region, including cities like Samcheok, Donghae, and Hongcheon.
The busiest day for domestic accommodation check-ins this summer is July 17, coinciding with the Constitution Day holiday, which has been designated as a public holiday for the first time in 18 years, leading to a surge in weekend travel demand.
◆ Cultural and Leisure Spending Diversifies; From Children's Shows to eSports
In addition to travel, the cultural and leisure market is showing trends towards personalized consumption. With summer vacation underway, children's performances such as 'The 100-Story House in the Forest' and 'The Little Mermaid' are among the top booked shows in the musical and dance categories.
In the concert sector, the summer highlight 'Psy's Summer Show in Busan' ranks first, while in sports, professional baseball and the global eSports event '2026 LoL Mid-Season Invitational (MSI)' are among the top attractions. In the exhibition sector, the collection of masterpieces titled 'Beyond Impressionism: Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso' is drawing significant visitor interest.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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