SEOUL: Japan was the most popular overseas destination for South Koreans during this year's Chuseok holiday, with Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo ranking as the top three cities, according to data released by Trip.com Group.
The data, covering domestic and international bookings for the four-day holiday beginning Thursday, pointed to a clear preference for nearby destinations and smaller domestic cities. South Korea's biggest fall holiday falls on Friday this year, extending the usual three-day holiday through Sunday for a four-day break.
Among short-haul options, Japan led the rankings, followed by Vietnam's Danyang and Nha Trang, and Shanghai, China.
Booking patterns also showed many travellers extending the break on their own. Wednesday saw 5 per cent more departures than Thursday, the holiday's official start, suggesting several people took personal leave to stretch out their time off.
Meanwhile, health officials are urging some caution for those headed to Japan.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 549 measles cases in Japan as of late August, the highest tally in a decade, and warned that the disease's high contagiousness puts travellers at risk.
The agency recommended checking vaccination records before departure. - Korea Herald/ANN
