We’ve done Singapore and we’ve done Hong Kong, but could Korea be the next stopover destination in Asia for Australians travelling to Europe?
It seems to be the case for Australian tour operator, Wendy Wu Tours.
According to the company’s Business Development Executive for NSW, Lachlan Burnet, the tour operator is seeing an annual increase in the number of Australians booking the company’s short Korea itineraries.
He told KarryOn at the Korea Roadshow in Sydney this week that it’s particularly popular amongst travellers who frequent Europe regularly and are looking for ‘something new’.
“Korea is growing compared to say eight years ago and we’re seeing a lot of our clients choose it as a stopover destination to Europe.”
Lachlan Burnet, Wendy Wu Tours Business Development Executive
The destination is particularly popular because of its unique culture and food as well as its convenient accessibility.
Lachlan explained that it only takes about an hour to travel from the buzzing city of Seoul to the stunning Jeju Island.
And each area is so different from the next that while they’re close they’re also almost worlds apart.
“I think the more they visit it on the way to Europe they’ll want to go back and experience it again with a little more time.”
Lachlan Burnet, Wendy Wu Tours Business Development Executive
According Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) statistics, Australian visitor numbers have increased steadily over the last five years.
Between January and April this year there has been a nine percent increase in Australian visitors compared to the same period period last year.
Aussies are particularly keen to try Korean skiing resorts. Image: Supannee Hickman/Shutterstock.com
Marketing Manager, Jennifer Doherty told KarryOn that figures show the increase is coming from Australians visiting during the winter period for a white Christmas and to experience its ski resorts.
Jennifer said there’s also a number of Australians that are finding it as a convenient way to travel to the other side of the world.
“Many Australians have discovered it’s a great way to fly to Europe with Asiana Airlines and Korean Air, just under ten hours from Sydney-Seoul, stopover in Korea and break the journey and then a 12 hour hop to London. Makes a much more comfortable journey to Europe as well as the US.”
Jennifer Doherty, KTO Marketing Manager
However, there is still a number of Australians spending longer periods in the destination, with the tourist bureau seeing an increase in the number of Aussie travellers visiting for seven to 10 days.
“Korea is more on the radar now for Australian travellers and is a very safe destination, easy to travel with excellent transport and infrastructure.”
At the annual roadshow in Sydney this week, KTO took time to officially show trade its new Avengers-inspired ad.
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