'K-POP MONSTERS' Animation Ignites Global Travel Boom, European Flights to Korea Surge 146%!

The global popularity of the Netflix animation 'K-POP MONSTERS' is directly translating into a surge in international tourism to South Korea, with a particularly striking increase observed in bookings from Europe. Online travel platform Trip.com revealed that following the animation's release, flight reservations from Spain to Korea saw a remarkable 146% year-on-year increase between June 20th and August 31st, marking it as the top country for this trend.

Germany followed with a 122% rise, and Italy with a 107% increase, securing the second and third spots respectively. Other European nations also showed significant growth, with Russia up 94% and Switzerland up 75%. Overall, European bookings to Korea grew by 79% during the same period. Beyond Europe, countries like Canada and Australia also experienced notable increases of over 50% and 20% respectively, while within Asia, China, Japan, and Vietnam were the top three countries with growing flight reservations.

Trip.com identifies this phenomenon not as a one-off event but as a burgeoning global travel trend, heavily influenced by 'content-driven tourism.' Their research indicates that a majority of Asia-Pacific travelers are inspired by the media they consume, with a pronounced demand among the 25-34 age group. The success of K-content across various genres, from music to films and now animation, is accelerating South Korea's tourism growth.

This surge is evident in Seoul's tourism figures, which recorded a record 1.36 million foreign visitors in July. Iconic filming locations and cultural sites like Bukchon Hanok Village, the National Museum of Korea, and Gyeongbok Palace are becoming pilgrimage sites for global fans. Searches for the National Museum of Korea increased by 34%, and Gyeongbok Palace bookings jumped by over 115%. Furthermore, walking tours of Bukchon Hanok Village garnered over 300,000 views on Trip.com's trend chart, 'TripPulse,' highlighting its appeal. Experiences such as kimchi-making and traditional tea ceremonies are also drawing interest, offering visitors a deeper cultural immersion.

Hong Jong-min, the Country Manager for Trip.com Korea, highlighted K-culture's evolution beyond mere content into a driving force for global travelers seeking authentic experiences. He expressed optimism that the synergy between culture and tourism, particularly among the MZ generation, will continue to propel the growth of South Korea's tourism industry.