Korea or Japan? Japan is already one of the most popular destinations among Australians, while Korea is one of the fastest-growing holiday hotspots. But why choose at all?
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Sydney offices recently hosted a special event for tour operators and wholesalers under the theme ‘Visit East Asia’, in which they promoted travel to both countries … in a single trip.
Forget regional rivalries – these neighbouring nations see the benefit of pushing both destinations to the highly regarded Australian traveller. And it makes sense, when you consider the close distance, but distinct differences between Japan and Korea.
Speaking to Karryon at the event, KTO Sydney Marketing Manager Ryan Archibald said Aussie travel to Korea had rebounded strongly post-pandemic, with Australia achieving the fourth-best recovery rate among visitor markets since COVID.
Year-to-date, Aussie travel to Korea is 10 per cent higher compared to pre-pandemic numbers, Archibald said, while September visitation from Australia was tracking 25 per cent higher than in 2019.
Reflecting its surging popularity, five airlines now offer flights between Sydney and Seoul – more than ever before. Earlier this year, Korea also announced that Aussies would no longer be required to obtain Korea’s Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).
Speaking to guests at the Japan and Korea event, new JNTO Sydney Director Naoki Kitazawa said Australia had recorded 620,000 visitors to Japan in 2019, but “we hope to surpass that number this year”. Or at the very least, in 2024.
“I ask for your continued support to make this happen,” he said.
According to JNTO data, visitation to Japan from Australia was higher in March, June, July and August this year than it was in 2019.
While Kitazawa only just arrived in Sydney at the end of June, “I have already seen how passionate Australians are about travel to Japan”.
Valuable visitors
“Australian people stay for a long time when they visit Japan – longer than any other country,” he remarked, which is why Australia is one of the most important markets in Japan.
Kitazawa also flagged the closeness between Japan and Korea.
“It only takes about two hours to travel between the two countries.”
After today’s presentations, he said, “I would be happy if you suggest to your clients to visit both countries”.
Meanwhile, KTO Sydney Deputy Director Sunwoo Lee compared combined tours of Japan and Korea to travel to multiple European countries, which she noted most Australians do when visiting Europe.
During the event, which took place at Kuro Bar & Dining, guests experienced Japanese and Korean cuisine whilst gaining insights into the unique tourism offerings of each country.
Event co-hosts Korean Air also gave away a return ticket to Seoul as a door prize.
Among those in attendance were Scenic, Bunnik Tours, Inspiring Vacations, Ignite Travel, Klook and Travel Managers, among others.
