Overseas travel from South Korea continues to rebound, with both outbound travel and international flight operations showing year-on-year growth. According to the Korea Tourism Organization and Incheon International Airport Corporation, 24,335,383 South Koreans traveled abroad between January and October 2025, while 349,919 international flights were recorded, representing a 3.2% increase compared to the previous year.
Travel platform Agoda reported a 15% increase in international travel interest among South Korean users in 2025 compared to 2024. Reflecting this demand, Agoda released the top 10 international destinations based on accommodation search data.
Japan dominated the list, with Tokyo ranked first, followed by Fukuoka and Osaka. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 7.66 million South Koreans visited Japan between January and October 2025, a 6.4% increase from the same period in 2024.
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Other destinations in the top ten included Nha Trang (Vietnam), Bali (Indonesia), Da Nang (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Sapporo (Japan), Taipei (Taiwan), and Phu Quoc (Vietnam), indicating sustained interest in short-haul travel from South Korea.
Vietnam saw notable growth, with three destinations making the list. Phu Quoc recorded the highest year-on-year growth in travel interest at 63%, moving up six positions to enter the top ten. The island allows visa-free entry for up to 30 days for all international travelers and features attractions such as Sao Beach, Kem Beach, and Phu Quoc National Park.
Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report indicated that 39% of South Korean travelers plan to travel primarily overseas this year, 15 percentage points higher than the Asia regional average of 24%.
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“Despite the elevated exchange rate, South Korean travelers continue to demonstrate strong demand for international exploration, and we expect this momentum to carry throughout the year,” said Jay Lee, Regional Director, North Asia at Agoda.
“From ever-popular Japanese cities to fast-rising destinations in Vietnam, we’re seeing sustained interest in both cultural immersion and relaxing escapes.”
Featured image via Vietnam Hidden Light.
AloJapan.com