Summer vacation is approaching, and many parents are taking advantage of the long break to travel abroad with their children. According to sales data from HowToTrip, the top five family-friendly travel destinations most favored by parents this summer are Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Singapore/Malaysia. Among these, four are destinations with theme parks, making them popular choices for family trips. Most parents prefer short-haul destinations primarily because they involve shorter flights, no time difference, less fatigue for children, better moods for sightseeing, and more budget-friendly options.
Ranking first, Tokyo is a city that appeals to all ages. It offers an abundance of baby and toddler products, and with the recent favorable exchange rate as well as Japan’s summer discount season coinciding with the summer vacation, many consumers are gearing up for a shopping spree in Japan. Additionally, Tokyo Disneyland remains a paradise that both adults and children never tire of. This month’s newly opened “Finding Nemo” themed area is also attracting more families. Coming in second is South Korea, which is more budget-friendly than Japan and thus preferred by cost-conscious travelers. Aside from Everland, South Korea also offers multi-entertainment complexes such as Lotte World and ONE MOUNT, which are great spots for parents to take their kids. In particular, the indoor snow park at ONE MOUNT is a popular spot for beating the summer heat.
Ranked third, Osaka not only has Universal Studios but also many educational and entertaining attractions suitable for family visits, such as the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan where you can learn about marine life; the Osaka Children's Museum, which features science experiment zones, biology areas, and cultural sections for enriching experiences; and the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, where you can dress up in yukata and experience old-era Japanese culture. In Hokkaido during summer, apart from viewing lavender fields, visitors can also enjoy seasonal activities such as riding a hot air balloon in Tokachi, fruit-picking experiences, and the Lake Toya Fireworks Festival, earning it fourth place. Fifth on the list is Singapore/Malaysia, where you can visit two major theme parks in one trip, along with other family attractions like bird parks and zoos. The destination is also convenient in terms of transportation, safety, and hygiene, with no language barriers to worry about, offering parents greater peace of mind.
For short-haul travel, group tour prices during the summer peak season are on average 5,000 to 10,000 yuan higher than during the off-season. To reduce summer travel expenses, the key tips are to take advantage of early-bird discounts or child discounts, such as free stays for children not occupying a bed or discounted rates for kids. Additionally, choosing budget airline group tours can save about 20–30% compared to traditional airline group packages. For those arranging independent travel, avoiding weekend departures and opting for Monday or Tuesday flights and accommodations can also result in lower prices.
Family travel expenses during the summer vacation can be quite significant. If you want to save on your budget even during the peak travel season, HowToTrip is launching a “Flash Sale Day” on June 6, offering opportunities for consumers to save even more. For example, get 6,600 yen off the second person in Hokkaido; for the 6-day Malaysia dual-theme-park package, the first child not occupying a bed costs just 6,600 yuan including tax; a 3-day Hong Kong five-star hotel independent trip starts at 8,500 yuan for adults including tax and 4,900 yuan for children not occupying a bed; a 4-day Okinawa independent trip costs 12,900 yuan including tax for early departures and late returns. This one-day-only “Flash Sale Day” aims to capture the summer travel market focused on saving money.
(China Times)