SEOUL — Long gone are the days of whirlwind, multi-city tours packed into a tight schedule just to check off tourist landmarks. For modern South Korean newlyweds, the ideal honeymoon is defined by slow travel, deep cultural immersion, and an uncompromising investment in comfort and gastronomy—even if it means spending 8 million won (approx. $5,800 USD) or more.

According to a recent consumer survey released on October 28 by global travel platform Booking.com, 80% of respondents expressed a willingness to allocate more time and money for a long-haul honeymoon than they ever did during their dating years.

Conducted in partnership with market research firm Embrain, the survey polled 1,000 individuals in South Korea who are either planning to marry within the next year or have tied the knot over the past two years.

From Short Dates to Long-Haul Dreams: Europe Takes the Crown

While dating couples frequently stayed close to home—visiting domestic destinations (93%), Northeast Asia (57%), and Southeast Asia (37%)—Europe emerged as the top honeymoon destination of choice at 35%. Southeast Asia followed at 19%, with tropical hotspots like Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and the Maldives capturing 13%.

Couples are also extending their itineraries. The most popular travel durations ranged from up to two weeks (35%) and 10 days (30%) to a week (22%).

The primary driver for extended trips was simple: taking advantage of a rare, extended break (66%), while 43% cited the need to justify long-haul flight costs and travel time with a substantial stay. Rather than hopping rapidly between multiple cities, 71% of respondents preferred lingering in just one or two regions to deeply experience the local culture. Women (74%) favored this slow-travel approach slightly more than men (67%).

"Not Your Standard Package Tour": 49% Opt for Independent Travel

When it comes to planning, modern couples prioritize personal taste over conventional itineraries.

Seventy-three percent (73%) stated they prefer distinct, personalized trips tailored to their shared interests rather than cookie-cutter luxury packages—with women (79%) leading men (67%) in this preference.

When choosing how to travel, 49% opted for 100% independent travel. Tailored private packages (18%), local single-item tours (16%), and hybrid packages (13%) trailed behind, while traditional group guided tours accounted for a mere 4%.

Motivations for choosing a destination have shifted as well. Seventy-six percent (76%) emphasized meaningful, personal experiences such as pristine natural landscapes, gastronomy, wellness, and local cultural immersion.

In contrast, capturing "Instagram-worthy" content for social media ranked lowest among seven surveyed recognition categories, cited by only 45% of respondents. Even among the youngest demographic (ages 25–29), less than half (49%) deemed social media sharing a priority. Souvenirs followed a similar sentiment: 54% preferred rare, locally sourced items, and 22% wanted items carrying unique sentimental value to the couple, while luxury brand items garnered just 6%.

6 in 10 Budget 8 Million Won or More, Prioritizing Stays and Fine Dining

While travel styles have grown more flexible, budgets have not shrunk. Seventy-four percent (74%) view their honeymoon as a special milestone worth investing time and money into without compromise.

Remarkably, 63% of respondents reported a combined honeymoon budget—covering flights, accommodation, and meals—of 8 million won or more.

Breaking down the figures, 35% budgeted between 8 million and 12 million won, 21% between 12 million and 21 million won, and 7% allocated upwards of 20 million won. Only 11% spent under 5 million won.

When asked where they intended to invest the most, accommodation topped the list at 79%, followed by culinary experiences (53%) and flights (48%). Among those aged 35 to 39, the focus on high-end accommodation (85%) and gastronomy (60%) was particularly pronounced.

While luxury hotels (45%) and high-end resorts (34%) remained favorite choices, independent private rentals (30%), boutique hotels (28%), and local accommodations (27%) also drew substantial demand.

From Booking Stress to Finding Authenticity

Planning often begins early, with half of all couples starting their preparations 6 to 12 months in advance, relying heavily on Korean blogging platforms like Naver (64%) and social media/video channels (60%).

Yet, an abundance of information does not necessarily make planning easier. The biggest hurdles cited were budget strains due to surging flight and hotel costs (42%), followed by anxieties over unexpected variables like local weather, safety, and transit delays (40%). Furthermore, 31% complained about navigating promotional, ad-driven reviews to find reliable information, as well as the time crunch of juggling wedding preparations.

Todd Lacey, Area Manager for South Korea and Oceania at Booking.com, noted, "This survey highlights that for South Koreans, a honeymoon is no longer about how extravagant it looks to the outside world, but how deeply authentic and true to the couple it feels."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]