Staycations a Popular Option for Weary Koreans

Going along with such findings, online research company Embrain’s yearly survey conducted among 1,000 men and women found that in response to the statement “During summer vacation, travel is a must”, the proportion of respondents that agreed with the statement declined from 45.7 percent in 2014 to 42 percent in 2017.(Image:Kobiz Media)

SEOUL, Jul. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Koreans take the need for “rest” seriously. So seriously that recent surveys of salaried employees showed the number one concern and aim of their summer vacation was to rest and recuperate rather than travel. With catchy portmanteaus like “staycation” entering the everyday lingo, Koreans are increasingly looking to stay indoors throughout their summer break.

A survey conducted by SK Planet in conjunction with Chosun Ilbo asked 1026 office workers between the ages of 20 to 50 about their summer vacation. The question “What do you want most out of this year’s summer vacation” yielded “Rest” and “Travel/Tourism” as the most popular responses at 57.3 percent and 54.5 percent of all answers (multiple responses permitted). The question “What is the most important aspect of vacation” yielded “Rest and Recuperation” as the most popular answer at 42 percent of all answers.

Going along with such findings, online research company Embrain’s yearly survey conducted among 1,000 men and women found that in response to the statement “During summer vacation, travel is a must”, the proportion of respondents that agreed with the statement declined from 45.7 percent in 2014 to 42 percent in 2017.

Business establishments have taken notice of the shift in attitudes and are working to create suitable holiday destinations to match. Comic book cafes that are open 24/7 and feature spacious rooms that fit four people are decked out with soft mattresses where weary members of society can unwind by disappearing into the fantasy world of their favorite comic books. With shower stalls installed, visitors can even stay for a lengthy period of time.

“Hocance” and “staytertainment” both refer to the increasing popularity of hotels as destinations for vacationers. Instead of simply spending their sleeping hours indoors, vacationers are choosing to stay in for the majority, making their vacation a true “staycation”. 

The desire for “staycation” has materialized in bizarre and amusing ways. In Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, visitors can “lock themselves up” in tiny 3.3-square-meter single cell blocks in a former prison building. When checking in, cell phones and books are confiscated and only clothes and bedsheets are permitted. Called the “Solitary Confinement Vacation”, the fact that Koreans would spend their hard earned vacation days in solitary confinement is odd, to say the very least.

by Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)