Korean tourists are still avoiding Southeast Asia.

Safety concerns are deterring many South Koreans from traveling alone to Southeast Asia.

Life in Siem Reap, Cambodia's most famous tourist city. Photo: Vincent Gerbouin/Pexels .

South Korean tourists are withdrawing from Southeast Asia due to increasing reports of scams and kidnappings in Cambodia. In October, the number of tourists flying from South Korea to the region dropped sharply, with Cambodia experiencing the most significant decline.

The Korea Herald, citing statistics released by Incheon International Airport Corporation on November 16, reported that the number of passengers departing for Southeast Asia decreased by 7.25% compared to September (to 784,962 passengers). Cambodia recorded the sharpest decline at 15.4%, from 13,727 in September to 11,613 in October.

This sudden withdrawal follows a series of shocking news reports in October about many young South Koreans being lured to Cambodia for work, only to be sold into fraudulent schemes. Many victims were held captive, forced to participate in operating online scams, and even subjected to abuse or sold to other centralized scam centers.

South Korean tourists explore Siem Reap, February 2023. Photo: Khmer Times.

For young people who are used to traveling, working, and wandering alone abroad, the prospect of "being lured into illegal jobs or losing control while traveling alone" makes many Korean tourists wary.

This psychological impact is not limited to Cambodia. Other destinations in Southeast Asia are also experiencing a ripple effect. The Philippines recorded an 18.9% decrease in South Korean tourists, down to 120,175 in October. Thailand, a familiar market for South Koreans, also saw a 5% drop, to 157,402.

The simultaneous halt in flights to Southeast Asia, while the total number of international visitors continues to increase, indicates that the entire region is being "marked" as a risky destination in the eyes of a large segment of South Koreans.

A motorcyclist rides past a closed casino in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Photo: Matthew Tostevin/Reuters.

Travel companies and tour operators quickly felt this shift through cancellation calls, emails, and booking charts. A tourism official told local media: "We're seeing a significant drop in demand from individual travelers, especially business travelers and solo leisure tourists. This could spill over into group package tours later this year."

Public perception in South Korea regarding Southeast Asian tourism is also changing rapidly. In a Realmeter poll conducted on October 21st, 82.4% of South Koreans surveyed said that recent incidents in Cambodia had affected their views on Southeast Asian travel. Among those in their 20s, who are most likely to travel solo with a backpack, this percentage rose to 88.3%.

In addition, 56% believe that the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs handled its initial response to the crisis poorly, contributing to increased feelings of insecurity and distrust.

Source: https://znews.vn/khach-han-van-tranh-ne-dong-nam-a-post1603486.html