The 2025 Goyang International Flower Show, which opened on April 27 at Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, has become a focal point for both local tourism and discussions about upcoming holidays. As the event unfolds, the South Korean government recently indicated that it would not designate May 2, 2025, as a temporary holiday, despite earlier speculations that it might.
According to the 'Regulations on Public Holidays of Public Offices,' which were referenced on April 30, 2025, the government retains the authority to declare temporary holidays as needed, following deliberation and resolution by the State Council. This flexibility was previously exercised when January 27 was designated a temporary holiday to stimulate domestic demand during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
However, the anticipation surrounding May 2 arose from the possibility of creating a six-day break that would include Labor Day on May 1, the weekends of May 3 and 4, Children's Day on May 5, and a substitute holiday on May 6. Yet, the government's decision to forgo this designation was likely influenced by a lack of significant improvement in domestic consumption during the previous holiday period. Reports indicated that while many South Koreans traveled abroad, domestic spending saw a decline.
Statistics from January 2025 revealed an increase in outbound travel, with 2,975,191 Koreans traveling overseas, marking a 7.3% rise from the same month the previous year. Moreover, a report from the Korea National Statistical Office showed that credit card spending during the period from January 24 to 31, which included the temporary holiday, dropped by 34% compared to the preceding week.
As the government grapples with the implications of holiday designations, it is also preparing for the upcoming presidential election on June 3, 2025. This has led to concerns about the potential burden of declaring temporary holidays in consecutive months. A government official has stated that they are not considering any further temporary holiday designations at this time.
Despite the government's decision, a recent survey conducted by Lotte Members' research platform, Lime, indicates that many adults are still planning to take a break. The survey, which gathered responses from 2,000 men and women aged 20 and older across the nation from April 11 to 12, found that 44.5% of respondents intend to rest for the entire period from May 1 to 6, 2025.
Among the survey participants, 41.2% reported that they would only commute or attend school for one or two days during this time, while 14.4% planned to work or attend school every day. The most popular holiday plan, as indicated by 36.1% of respondents, was to rest at home. Other responses included outings to nearby areas (21.7%), domestic travel (13.4%), and meeting friends or acquaintances (7.8%). Notably, only 4% of respondents expressed intentions to travel overseas.
When it comes to domestic travel, the survey highlighted popular destinations such as Gangneung and Sokcho, which attracted 25.8% of the respondents' preferences. Other favored locations included Jeju Island (13.1%), Yeosu, Tongyeong, and Geoje (10.9%), and Busan (9.6%).
In terms of travel companions, families were the most common choice, with 34.8% of respondents indicating they would travel with family members. This was followed by spouses (23.6%), partners (8.7%), and friends (7.0%). For those planning to travel overseas, Southeast Asia emerged as the most sought-after destination (34.8%), followed by Japan (27.5%), Europe (11.6%), and other Asian countries (8.7%).
As the May holiday approaches, the dynamics of domestic travel and leisure activities are likely to play a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior and economic activity. With many individuals choosing to take time off voluntarily, there is a possibility for increased domestic consumption, especially in tourist areas that are expected to see a surge in visitors.
The juxtaposition of the Goyang International Flower Show and the May holiday plans reflects a broader trend in South Korea, where cultural events and holiday periods often intertwine to influence local economies. As the nation navigates its holiday calendar and travel preferences, the outcomes of these decisions will be closely monitored by both government officials and local businesses.
