Traveling abroad during summer break can still be great value — HowToTrip General Manager Chen Yufeng shows you how

▲ HowToTrip General Manager Chen Yufeng. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

This year’s summer vacation is already halfway over. Have our readers seized the chance to travel abroad? Although summer travel prices are slightly higher than usual, for families and college students, it means skipping the hassle of taking leave, making summer still the peak travel season. Among the most popular options are 2- to 5-day trips suitable for students and family outings, which also receive the highest number of inquiries.

Chen Yufeng, General Manager of HowToTrip, said that for working college students and parents traveling with their families, 2- to 5-day overseas trips offer a moderate duration and less financial pressure. In addition, many people now consider international travel a necessity in life, so these shorter-duration trips have become increasingly popular. For readers of 《ETtoday News Cloud》 planning to travel this summer, she has also specially recommended several great-value travel options to help everyone enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable trip abroad.

If you’re looking to arrange a 2–3 day trip abroad, Chen Yufeng believes thatHong Kong and Macauare still the top choices. Aside from the advantages of a shared language and convenient visa policies, Hong Kong also boasts abundant flight and hotel options, keeping prices relatively stable during the summer. Families looking for parent-child travel can visit theme parks like Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, and many travel agencies also design Hong Kong + Macau itineraries, allowing travelers to enjoy both destinations in one trip for even better value.

▲ For 2- to 3-day trips, Chen Yufeng recommends Hong Kong as the top choice. (Photo / Provided by Ocean Park Hong Kong)

For itineraries primarily around 4 days, aside fromSeoulin South Korea,Busanis also great for travel. For those who love natural scenery,Jeju Islandis also a recommended option. Chen Yufeng believes that for college students, travel to Korea is affordable, with many K-drama filming locations for fans to visit, as well as a variety of cosmetics and fashion items perfect for young shoppers. The rising trend of independent travel to Korea has made it a hot destination this year.

For those wanting to go to Japan but on a limited budget, Chen Yufeng also recommends visitingOkinawafor an island getaway. You can enjoy Okinawa’s unique island vibe along with many Japanese-style services and cuisine — a balanced choice between refinement, warmth, and affordability.

▲ The Singapore + Malaysia combo is ideal for families seeking a fun-filled amusement park adventure this summer. (Photo / Provided by Legoland)

If you extend your trip to 5 days, aside from planning a trip toThailand,this yearBoracayalso offers relatively affordable summer prices compared to other resort islands, making it suitable for those who love beautiful beaches and water activities. Additionally, theSingapore + Malaysiacombo, where you can visit both Legoland and Universal Studios in one trip, has been very popular with parents this summer, and is also a great choice for families wanting their kids to have a fun summer.

As for the most popular yet pricey destination among travelers —JapanRegarding travel, Chen Yufeng believes that with the arrival of Ghost Month and market supply-demand principles, the prices of Japan tours are expected to see a slight downward adjustment in August. The public might as well pay close attention to price trends and seize the right time to book.

▲ Universal Studios Japan, boosted by Harry Potter, has once again become a popular travel destination. (Photo / Reporter You...)

Chen Yufeng stated that in terms of the short-duration travel market this year, although Japan tours are about 2,000 to 3,000 yuan more expensive than in previous summers, they remain the most popular travel choice for this summer vacation. However, with the continued popularity of Korean dramas, the number of people traveling to South Korea this summer has also exceeded expectations. In addition, the increasing availability of Chinese-language services at many South Korean tourist attractions, along with the support of online information, has led to a significant increase in the number of backpackers visiting South Korea.

Chen Yufeng also pointed out that several popular regions in Southeast Asia have experienced consecutive coups and riots, which have affected tourist traffic to the area. Nevertheless, Chen Yufeng revealed that with the potential visa exemption for Thailand and promotional offers from major five-star hotels there, it remains an ideal destination for families or groups of friends to take a vacation during the summer break.

Among the current outbound travelers, the number of backpackers continues to grow. In addition to the easiest destination to start with—Hong Kong—nearby cities such as Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Busan are also very suitable for backpacker travel. Moreover, the infrastructure and services in these international metropolises are becoming increasingly backpacker-friendly. Additionally, with airlines expanding their international routes, secondary Japanese cities such as Takamatsu, Matsuyama, and Sendai have also made their way onto the backpacker radar.

▲ The free independent travel market in Busan, South Korea, is developing rapidly and is suitable for backpackers. (Photo / Provided by the Korea Tourism Organization)

Chen Yufeng believes that with the advancement of online information, obtaining various resources for independent travel is no longer difficult. In addition to referring to various itineraries categorized by duration, student travelers might also want to take advantage of the summer vacation to explore different travel routes and visit cities they’ve never been to through independent travel—it will surely leave them with more meaningful and memorable summer experiences.