Accommodations in South Korea - statistics & facts
One of four tourism sectors in South Korea worth trillions of South Korean won, accommodation is a fundamental factor for any traveler. Whether traveling domestically or entering from overseas, having a place to stay is a necessity, and for some even the point of the trip itself. Nature stays in national forests in particular have grown in popularity, especially among domestic travelers. This is one of several differences in preferences expressed by domestic and international tourists.
With South Korea’s tourism industry having rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, accommodations are welcoming back large numbers of domestic and international travelers alike. With the country currently an attractive tourist destination, such businesses benefit from the increase in international interest.
The South Korean hotel industry
Having recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Korean hotel industry saw record sales revenue in 2022. Most of this revenue came from traditional tourist hotels, though some came from residence hotels that specialized in long-term stays. Walkerhill and Lotte were the most trusted hotel and resort brands according to 2024 National Customer Satisfaction Index, with foreign brands ranking slightly lower. Despite being the most successful financially, recreational condominiums recorded the most guests that year at over 48.4 million.Differences in accommodation preferences
In 2023, domestic travelers recorded almost 50 million overnight stays with friends or family. This was particularly common around the time of major national holidays that center around spending time with family and/or returning to one’s hometown, such as “Seollal” (Lunar New Year) and “Chuseok” (autumn harvest festival). Meanwhile, international visitors, most of whom visited for leisure, primarily preferred to stay in hotels. Among domestic travelers this was only the third-most common option, as cost was the main factor when deciding on accommodations. As such, cheaper alternatives like staying with friends and family or pensions were more popular.With South Korea’s tourism industry having rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, accommodations are welcoming back large numbers of domestic and international travelers alike. With the country currently an attractive tourist destination, such businesses benefit from the increase in international interest.
