1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the recent surge in demand for luxury travel packages in Korea, with some packages costing up to 25 million won. It explores the factors driving this trend, such as a shift in consumer preferences and the introduction of premium travel offerings.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 먹을 거 | meokkeul geo | food, provisions | Even if they have to save on food, people are willing to splurge on luxury travel packages. |
| 아껴서 | akkyeoseo | to save, to conserve | Even if they have to save on food, people are willing to splurge on luxury travel packages. |
| 럭셔리 | reoksyeori | luxury | The article discusses the recent surge in demand for luxury travel packages in Korea. |
| 여행 | yeohaeng | travel | The article discusses the recent surge in demand for luxury travel packages in Korea. |
| 패키지 | paekijeu | package | Recently, travel agencies have been offering premium travel packages that exclude certain features, such as shopping and tips, and focus on 4-5 star hotel accommodations. |
| 대비 | daebui | preparation, comparison | The article notes that while travel package sales have increased, retail sales have decreased by 2.2% during the same period. |
| 것으로 | geoteullo | as, like | The article states that the number of travelers who went abroad in the first half of this year increased by 3.9% compared to the same period last year. |
| 프리미엄 | peullimieomu | premium | Recently, travel agencies have been offering premium travel packages that exclude certain features, such as shopping and tips, and focus on 4-5 star hotel accommodations. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
올해 상반기 해외여행객 수가 전년 동기 대비 3.9% 늘어났다. 이는 전년 동기(1402만3382명) 대비 3.9% 증가한 수치다. 같은 기간 소매판매액 지수는 2.2% 감소했다.
The number of travelers who went abroad in the first half of this year increased by 3.9% compared to the same period last year. This represents a 3.9% increase from the previous year’s figure of 14,023,382 people. During the same period, the retail sales index decreased by 2.2%.
최근 여행사들은 기존 패키지 여행의 단점으로 꼽혔던 ‘쇼핑’, ‘선택관광’, ‘팁’ 등을 제외하고 4~5성급 호텔 숙박 위주로 구성한 프리미엄 여행 상품을 내놓고 있다. 이에 따라 고객 만족도도 높아졌다는 평가다.
Recently, travel agencies have been offering premium travel packages that exclude certain features, such as shopping, optional tours, and tips, and focus on 4-5 star hotel accommodations. As a result, customer satisfaction with these packages has also increased.
상품 가격은 출발일자에 따라 2790만~2990만원으로, 현대홈쇼핑이 판매한 패키지여행 상품 중 역대 최고가다. 이처럼 고가의 럭셔리 여행 상품에 대한 수요가 늘어나고 있다.
The product prices range from 27.9 million won to 29.9 million won, depending on the departure date, making them the most expensive package travel products ever sold by Hyundai Home Shopping. This indicates a growing demand for high-end luxury travel packages.
여행사들은 이러한 프리미엄 패키지 상품을 통해 수익성 향상을 노리고 있다. 실제로 하나투어의 올해 2분기 실적은 매출 1199억원으로 전년 대비 9% 감소했지만, 순액조정매출은 1073억원으로 6% 증가했다.
Travel agencies are aiming to improve their profitability by offering these premium package products. Indeed, Hana Tour’s second-quarter performance this year showed a 9% decrease in sales to 119.9 billion won, but a 6% increase in net adjusted sales to 107.3 billion won.
이처럼 소비자들의 여행 수요가 늘어나고 있지만, 동시에 소비 지출은 줄어드는 모습을 보이고 있다. 이는 소비자들이 여행에 대한 지출은 아끼지 않지만, 생활비 등 다른 지출은 줄이고 있다는 것을 의미한다.
While consumer demand for travel is increasing, consumer spending is also decreasing. This suggests that consumers are willing to splurge on travel, but are cutting back on other expenditures, such as living expenses.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main trend discussed in the article?
- How have travel agencies responded to this trend?
- What is the price range of the premium travel packages mentioned in the article?
- How have the financial results of travel agencies been affected by the shift towards premium packages?
- What does the article suggest about the spending patterns of Korean consumers?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The article highlights a shift in the travel preferences of Korean consumers, with a growing demand for high-end, luxury travel packages. This trend reflects the increasing affluence and changing priorities of Korean travelers, who are willing to spend more on memorable experiences while being more selective in their other spending. The introduction of premium travel offerings by travel agencies suggests a response to these evolving consumer preferences in the Korean travel market.