Summer vacation is actually cheaper than usual – Japanese tour prices drop up to NT$8,000

▲ Osaka Castle. (Photo / Reporter Chen Jun?)

Reported by Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

Attention to those planning to travel abroad this summer vacation. According to the latest June–September travel price reference information released by the Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China, not only have summer vacation trips to Japan not increased in price, but they are even cheaper than those in April–June. Prices are also NT$2,000–5,000 lower than the same period last year. Industry insiders are exclaiming: Japan has never been this affordable – now is the perfect time to go!

▲ Reference table for summer tour prices across various routes.

Japan
After the flower season in April–May ends, demand for travel to Japan declines. Coupled with budget airlines driving down prices and an oversupply of flights, summer prices have dropped by NT$4,000–8,000 compared to April–May. Classic theme park tours this year also feature many itineraries outside urban areas to help reduce costs. In addition, airlines and budget carriers are opening new routes to destinations such as Okayama, Okinawa, Hakodate, Chitose, and Sendai to attract both group travelers and backpackers.

South Korea
"Descendants of the Sun" has reignited the Korean tourism boom, with many itineraries incorporating scenes from the drama. However, due to rising airfares, tours to Seoul, Busan, and Jeju have increased by NT$1,000–2,000 compared to the previous season.

▲ The Samtan Art Mine, one of the filming locations for "Descendants of the Sun." (Photo / Provided by the Korea Tourism Organization)

Southeast Asia
Although airfares rise during the summer vacation, early-bird presale tickets still offer discounts. Coupled with the wide availability of budget airline routes, prices remain relatively stable compared to the previous season and the same period last year.

Indochina region
Due to rising summer airfares, prices have gone up by about NT$1,000–2,000. The main factors contributing to price differences are hotel grades, meal inclusions, and airlines within each itinerary.

United States & Canada
Family-friendly tours during the summer are popular in the market, mostly consisting of 8–12 day itineraries. However, due to increases in hotel and theme park ticket prices, overall costs have risen by NT$8,000–20,000 compared to the previous season. In Canada, hotel price hikes have also led to an increase in tour prices by NT$8,000–20,000.

Mainland China
Many regions in mainland China have entered their peak tourist season, and with the added appeal of Shanghai Disneyland in East China, both airfares and accommodation prices have adjusted. Overall prices have risen by NT$1,000–15,000 compared to the previous season and are also more expensive than the same period last year.

▲ Shanghai Disneyland. (Photo / Oriental IC)

Europe
Summer in Europe offers long daylight hours, cool weather, and plenty of shopping discounts, making it a peak travel season. Airfares are higher, having risen by NT$3,000–8,000 compared to the previous season. However, with the entry of several foreign airlines into the market, prices are still NT$3,000–5,000 cheaper than the same period last year.

New Zealand & Australia
July marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, making it suitable for family and honeymoon trips. This year, thanks to increased flight availability, prices have risen slightly by NT$3,000–6,000 compared to the previous quarter, but are still NT$5,000–10,000 lower than the same period last year.

Middle East, South Africa, and other regions
In Turkey, airfare increases have pushed prices up by NT$3,000–8,000 compared to the previous season. Meanwhile, popular summer destinations in South Africa continue to maintain stable pricing. However, countries like Tunisia and Morocco, which are favored by European tourists, have seen prices rise by NT$3,000–5,000.