Cheongju-si is South Korea’s top emerging destination – Agoda
Taipei, 2 January 2025 – Cheongju-si has emerged as the fastest growing destination for attracting international travelers visiting South Korea, according to digital travel platform Agoda. The travel platform’s New Horizons list further reveals Wonju to be the top trending domestic destination and Shanghai to be the top emerging international destination among South Korean travelers.
Agoda’s New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in both domestic and international travel.
Cheongju has emerged as a popular inbound destination this year among international travelers, rising 16 places to a rank of 19. This is due to easy access through Cheongju International Airport and convenient transportation, making it a great starting point to explore other cities across South Korea including Seoul, Daejeon and Daegu. The city has also received love from K-drama fans as a scenic location for the hit drama “The Glory.” Foreign visitors can also experience the wonders of Cheongju’s famous traditional cuisine, including Olgaengi Guk, a hangover cure soup, and the heartwarming Jjageuli stew.
Among domestic travelers, Wonju has experienced rising popularity and has increased by 12 places to a rank of 31, particularly for those seeking adventure and outdoor activities. Wonju offers many attractions for campers and climbers year-round. Popular examples include Chiaksan Mountain for mountain climbing among autumn foliage and Oak Valley Ski Resort for a glide down the snowy slopes in the winter.
For Korean travelers visiting overseas, Agoda data shows that Shanghai is a consistently loved destination, increasing by 21 places in rank to 27. This is due to China allowing visa-free travel for Koreans starting November 2024 through the end of this year. Shanghai is especially loved for its value-for-money five-star hotels, clean and glitzy atmosphere, high-tech environment and cashless payment systems across the city.
Jay Lee, Country Director South Korea at Agoda said, “While Jeju Island remains a popular destination for travelers across Asia, we have seen a welcome rise in interest this year for emerging destinations such as Cheongju and Wonju. These cities offer unique and novel experiences of South Korea’s yet undiscovered charms, including regional delicacies and beautiful natural scenery. Agoda looks forward to helping connect these cities to both international and domestic travelers alike, encouraging new exciting adventures in 2025.”
Looking at the top emerging destinations for Asian travelers combined, it is Shanghai that tops the New Horizons list. The Chinese metropolis is followed by Jeju (South Korea), Paris (France), Nha Trang (Vietnam), and Fukuoka (Japan).
Travelers preparing for their travel plans for 2025 are encouraged to check out Agoda’s great value deals on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.