On October 8, 2025, India marked a significant milestone in its transportation landscape with the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the completion of the final phase of the Mumbai Metro Line 3. The events, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signal not only a leap forward for Mumbai’s infrastructure but also a broader shift in how millions of travelers—both domestic and international—navigate the region and beyond.
The NMIA, now officially open after years of anticipation, is India’s largest greenfield airport project. Built at a staggering cost of Rs 19,650 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the airport is poised to transform the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s connectivity. According to a report from Onmanorama, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the airport at 3:30 pm after taking a tour of its state-of-the-art facilities. The airport’s opening comes at a crucial time, as Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has long struggled with congestion and capacity constraints.
Once fully operational, NMIA will work in tandem with CSMIA to ease the immense pressure on the city’s air traffic. The hope is that the new airport will not only improve the travel experience for millions but also boost Mumbai’s status as a global gateway. The significance of this expansion cannot be overstated, especially as international travel rebounds. In August 2025 alone, Japan welcomed 3.4 million foreign visitors—a 16.9% increase year-on-year—driven in part by additional flights from across Asia, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
South Korea, in particular, has seen a surge in outbound tourism. The 2025 Chuseok Holiday Overseas Travel Trends report, released by travel booking platform Klook, notes that Japan remains the top destination for South Korean tourists during the Chuseok holiday. Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka occupy three of the top five international spots, with Bali and Da Nang rounding out the list. Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Indonesia also feature prominently among preferred destinations. The spike in travel is reflected in searches for both domestic and international trips during Chuseok, which have risen by 29% and 19% respectively compared to the previous year, according to Agoda.
Domestically, South Koreans are not staying put either. Jeju Island stands out as the most searched destination for the Chuseok holiday, followed by Busan, Seoul, Gyeongju, and Sokcho. Jeju’s enduring appeal is further underscored by a recent report from the Korea Tourism Food Culture Center, which found that Hamdeok Beach is the most popular spot for the MZ generation (a term referring to Millennials and Gen Z). In fact, five of Jeju’s beaches—Hamdeok, Hyeopjae, Ihoteu, Gwakji, and Kimnyeong—feature in the top ten destinations for younger travelers. The rankings, based on portal search volume, social media mentions, and actual visits, reveal a clear pattern: the MZ generation is drawn to “hot places” that are both Instagram-worthy and cost-effective.
“The MZ generation tourism consumption in Jeju tends to be concentrated around specific hot places, and the generation-specific consumption sector is also structurally concentrated depending on the destination,” researchers explained in the Korea Tourism Food Culture Center’s October 8 report. The data also highlights a generational divide in spending: domestic tourists in their 30s and 40s account for 53% of card consumption in Jeju, with expenditures of 739 billion won and 766 billion won, respectively. Meanwhile, those in their 20s spent 323 billion won, and those in their 50s, 612 billion won. Across all ages, restaurants, accommodations, and cafes remain the most common interests, but the younger crowd is especially keen on discounts and special prices.
Back in Mumbai, the city’s infrastructure overhaul is not limited to the skies. The final phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3 was also launched on October 8, marking the completion of the city’s first fully underground metro corridor. Built at a cost of Rs 12,200 crore, Phase 2B extends 10.99 kilometers from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade and adds 11 new underground stations to the network. The new stretch is more than just a feat of engineering—it’s a lifeline for commuters, connecting the Aqua Line of the Metro with both the Central Railway at CSMT and the Western Railway at Mumbai Central and Churchgate stations. This integration promises to make life easier for those working in Mumbai’s bustling business districts, including the Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, Nariman Point, Fort, and Kalabadevi.
As part of this wave of modernization, the government also rolled out the ‘Mumbai One’ app, a first-of-its-kind integrated mobility platform. The app, available on both Google Play and the Apple Store, brings together 11 public transport operators—from Mumbai Metro Lines 1, 2A, 3, and 7 to the Mumbai Monorail, Navi Mumbai Metro, Mumbai Suburban Railway, and municipal bus services in Thane, Mira Bhayander, Kalyan Dombivli, and Navi Mumbai. Commuters can now plan trips, purchase tickets, switch between transport modes, and check real-time schedules from a single interface. The app even supports digital payments and includes an SOS feature for emergencies, aiming to eliminate long queues and wasted time.
The timing of these developments is no coincidence. As travel demand rebounds post-pandemic, cities like Mumbai and destinations like Jeju are racing to accommodate a new generation of travelers who value convenience, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness. In Mumbai, the NMIA and Metro Line 3 are expected to relieve congestion and improve access, while in South Korea, tourism trends reveal a growing appetite for both international adventure and domestic exploration.
Interestingly, the interplay between these trends is evident in the numbers. Japan’s surge in international arrivals—led by 1 million Chinese visitors (up 36.5%) and 660,900 South Koreans (up 8%) in August, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization—reflects a broader regional dynamism. Meanwhile, Jeju’s popularity among young Koreans underscores how domestic destinations are adapting to the preferences of digitally savvy travelers who rely on social media, search engines, and mobile apps to shape their itineraries.
With new infrastructure, digital tools, and shifting travel habits, both India and South Korea are setting the stage for a new era of mobility. The opening of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the completion of Mumbai Metro Line 3 are more than just ribbon-cutting ceremonies—they’re a testament to the power of connectivity in a changing world.
