The first destination S. Koreans want to visit after Covid-19 is Europe

▲ Napoleon's chair at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France [AFP=Yonhapnews]

▲ Bright lights are lit in a castle in Tuscany, Italy, to mark "Europe Day." [EPA=Yonhapnews]

SEOUL, May 12 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans want to visit Europe first when the novel coronavirus infection (Covid-19) is overcome, a survey showed.

According to the French Tourism Organization on the 12th, in a recent survey of 8,129 Korean men and women, 68 percent chose Europe as the first overseas destination they wanted to visit after Corona 19.

Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Hong Kong accounted for 13.1 percent and Southeast Asia 7.8 percent.

Asked when they expect to travel abroad if travel restrictions are lifted, 81 percent said they will leave within a year.

In particular, 29% of the respondents said they would travel abroad within one to four months, 28% within six months and 24% within a year.

The most important factors considered by travelers after Covid-19 have been hygiene and safety.

78.9% of the respondents cited compliance with quarantine rules such as fever checks and hand sanitizer preparation as a must-have for travel destinations, and in the case of festivals and large events, they were the most reluctant to participate due to hygiene issues.

"In terms of travel to France, 90 percent of the respondents said they were willing to visit France if the travel restrictions were lifted completely next year," said Chung Hye-won, vice president of the French Tourism Organization. "Small groups are expected to travel as early as the end of this year."

(END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved