AN IDEAL vacation is commonly characterized by a visit to an exotic foreign land and days filled with relaxation. However, overseas trips require elaborate planning and hefty expenses, and are also prone to numerous woes such as language barriers, jet lag, and unpredictable travel hiccups. Fortunately, a getaway to unwind does not require a flight to the opposite side of the globe; an equally comforting and enriching experience can be found in the vicinity of our homes. With the rise of “nearcation,” people are escaping their quotidian lives in the form of shorter-distance trips. 

A cultural trend

   Nearcation is a portmanteau of “near” and “vacation,” used synonymously with “staycation,” a combination of “stay” and “vacation.” The origin of nearcations can be traced back to 2008 when the public’s choices in consuming luxuries were greatly shaped by the global financial crisis[1]. The rise of the recent staycation trend is unique compared to its precedent, as it has been catalyzed by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic which imposed numerous border restrictions and stagnated flights. Short-distance travels also emerged against the backdrop of inflation, and rising costs of gas, flights, and accommodations. Due to the issue of affordability as well as health concerns, domestic tourism began to spur. For instance, in the summer of 2022, 58% of Americans planned to travel closer to their homes[2], and similar patterns also manifested in Vietnam[3]. Despite the rebound in overseas tourism this year as travel restrictions ease, the shifting preference for nearcations can not be seen as temporary; nearcations and staycations will remain an ongoing trend and an attractive choice to spend the holidays. In South Korea, where Jeju Island, Busan, and Jeon-ju have been populated with domestic travelers in the past few years, the preference for domestic tourism remained as shown by a 30% increase in profits from domestic tourism compared to the previous year in Seol-lal, the Korean new year holiday[4]. Moreover, in the United Kingdom, the number of people searching for a staycation in January tripled compared to the previous year, with Cornwall, Cumbria, and North Yorkshire being some popular destinations[5].

   The advantages of nearcation extend beyond affordability. Nearcations tend to be more environmentally friendly as there is no need for carbon-intensive flights; thus nearcations promote an increasingly significant value of sustainability which the flight shame movement[6] put forward as an alternative to conventional tourism. Furthermore, visiting local places is expected to revitalize these regions, allowing cities to rediscover and develop their unique identities. For instance, the Je-min-cheon Town Stay provides an opportunity for visitors to fully engross themselves in a local experience at a village in the old city center of Gongju-si; visitors can spend a night at a han-ok[7], drop by restaurants in the neighborhood, and interact with local artists and residents in galleries and book shops.

Ho-cance

   Ho-cance, which refers to spending an extravagant vacance at a hotel, has become a huge buzzword in the nearcation industry. Profits in the hospitality industry increased by 93% in the first half of 2022 compared to that of the previous year, with pronounced growth of over 200% for hotels[8]. As people willing to splurge on premium hotels rush to luxurious facilities in the city center, hotels are becoming travel destinations and tourist attractions, not mere accommodations.

   The current popular hotels for ho-cance are the most extravagant hotels located in Seoul; this includes Lotte’s Signiel, located in the tallest skyscraper in South Korea, Shilla Stay, close to another landmark 63 Tower, or the Western Chosun Hotel, known for its decade-long legacy. In addition to the fanciness, hotels with unique services are gaining public attention, as they provide diverse activities from yoga and pilates classes to art exhibitions and galleries—termed “art ho-cance.” For example, the 5-star hotel Josun Jeju has collaborated with the global art platform, Edition Alliance, to exhibit works by prominent artists including Ugo Rondinone, Choi Jung-hwa, and Gary Hume, and provide an art tour guided by a professional curator[9].

Outdoor camping

   While some spend their holidays in the city center, others decide to explore the outskirts of cities for outdoor camping. One increasingly popular form of camping is glamping—a portmanteau of “glamor” and “camping”—a luxurious, convenient type of camping with all amenities prepared on the glamping site. A glamping site has free wifi, air conditioning, and furniture, which reduces the fuss of preparing all the necessary equipment, installing the tents, and sleeping on uncomfortable mattresses. A glamping site in Taean-gun provides a separate living room, bathroom, and bedroom, with an opening ceiling suited for gazing at the starry night sky. Visitors can relish the ocean view, sit around the campfire while indulging in a cup of hot chocolate, and cook barbecue at their convenience.

   Additionally, cha-bak—a form of camping that involves sleeping in the car—is on the hype. After parking at a desired location—prevalently near beaches and rivers—campers can customize their camping experience by connecting a tarp to the trunk, placing an air mattress in the backseat, or installing a rooftop tent on top of the car. A cha-bak trip requires a minimal packing list: an air mat, a pillow and blanket, and some snacks to enjoy on the way. With such convenience and relatively affordable costs, the domestic camping industry has grown by 8.2% compared to 2020 and is expected to show steady growth in the future.

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   The virality of ho-cance and cha-bak illustrates the return of the nearcation trend. The irresistible impulse to embark on the dream escapade to a distant foreign land can hit once in a while. However, the reduced burdens regarding financial costs and time make nearcations ever more appealing. Nearcation culture will continue to thrive as long as people demand to search for an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city; neither brevity nor nearness can limit the quality of a vacation.

[1] Asia-Pacific Journal of Business

[2] Outdoorsy

[3] Destination Review

[4] Digital Daily

[5] Travel Daily Media

[6] Flight shame movement: An anti-flying social movement that aims to reduce the environmental consequences of aviation

[7] Han-ok: A Korean traditional house

[8] Travel Times

[9] The Asia Business Daily