South Korea is poised to surpass Japan as the top destination for Chinese travelers during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, marking the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Booking estimates indicate 230,000 to 250,000 mainland Chinese visitors to South Korea, a potential increase of up to 52% from last year. This shift highlights Seoul's visa relaxations amid tensions with Tokyo.
South Korea is set to overtake Japan as the preferred Lunar New Year destination for Chinese tourists, according to booking estimates and flight data analyzed by China Trading Desk, a specialist in travel trends. For the nine-day holiday starting February 15, between 230,000 and 250,000 mainland Chinese visitors are projected to arrive in South Korea, representing a surge of up to 52% compared to last year's shorter break. In contrast, Japan's inbound tourism from China could plummet by as much as 60% from the previous holiday period.
This pivot comes amid escalating diplomatic frictions between Beijing and Tokyo. South Korea has aggressively eased visa requirements for Chinese group tours, making it a more accessible option. Safety concerns in other hotspots like Thailand may also play a role, though the core drivers are policy and relations. The Lunar New Year remains China's busiest travel season, and this trend underscores vulnerabilities in Japan's tourism recovery, which had benefited from a weakened yen.
While Japan has been a favorite for Chinese outbound trips in recent years, geopolitical strains are now deterring visitors. Seoul's proactive measures position it to claim the top spot for the first time post-pandemic, potentially reshaping regional tourism dynamics.
