Korean Travelers Show Growing Interest in Exotic Island Destinations Over Traditional Resorts

SEOUL--(Korea Newswire)--According to a survey conducted by MantaDive in February 2026 among Korean travelers, the way the next generation of divers and adventure travelers plan their trips is gradually evolving.

While popular destinations in Southeast Asia continue to attract significant interest, an increasing number of travelers are beginning to look beyond familiar resorts and are turning their attention toward more exotic and lesser-known island destinations. At the same time, safety, professionalism, and reliable transportation infrastructure remain important factors when making travel decisions. These findings highlight a growing demand among travelers seeking unique island experiences around the world.

Growing Interest in Exotic and Lesser-Known Island Destinations

One of the most notable findings from the survey is the rising preference for exotic and relatively lesser-known overseas destinations.

When asked about their preferred type of travel destination, 31.4% said they favored “exotic international destinations.” This suggests that travelers are increasingly interested in destinations that offer unique and distinctive experiences rather than traditional, well-known resort locations.

Remote island destinations such as Seychelles and parts of the South Pacific are becoming increasingly appealing to Korean travelers seeking something different from conventional beach vacations. As interest in visiting multiple islands grows, the importance of inter-island transportation is also increasing. Travelers in the Seychelles often plan their routes between islands using ferry booking services in Seychelles that allow them to move conveniently from one island to another.

Similar Interest in Domestic and International Diving

The survey also shows that Korean divers maintain a fairly open attitude toward both domestic and international diving experiences.

A total of 44.2% of respondents said they were equally interested in both domestic and overseas diving. Meanwhile, 27.8% reported a preference for domestic diving, while 28.0% preferred diving abroad—showing almost identical levels of interest.

This suggests that with better information and attractive travel experiences, demand for international diving trips could expand further. Multi-island travel experiences are also helping support this trend. For instance, Fiji ferry services make it easier for travelers to move between the Fiji islands and experience multiple dive sites during a single trip.

Safety Remains the Most Important Factor in Diving Travel

Although interest in exotic destinations is growing, safety remains the most important factor when planning a diving trip.

According to the survey, 70.4% of respondents identified safety and instructor expertise as the most important considerations when choosing a diving destination. Marine ecosystems and underwater scenery (50.4%) as well as the condition and quality of diving equipment (47.6%) were also cited as important factors.

These results indicate that divers are not simply looking for beautiful waters, but also place significant value on professional and reliable operating systems. For example, travelers heading to Indonesia for diving trips often prefer locations where accommodation and dive centers operate together. Diving resorts on Gili Trawangan often provide integrated lodging and professional diving services to meet this demand.

Rising Interest in Inter-Island Transportation

Another interesting finding from the survey is the growing curiosity about inter-island transportation services.

While ferry travel is common in many island destinations, it is still relatively unfamiliar to many Korean travelers. According to the survey, 37.6% of respondents said they had never taken a ferry before but were interested in trying it, while 31.8% said they had used ferry transportation at least once. Only 3.8% reported using ferries regularly.

This suggests that while experience with ferry travel remains limited, there is significant potential demand for island-hopping travel experiences. For example, diving on Gili Trawangan is a popular choice for travelers visiting Indonesia, as the island is easy to reach by ferry and provides access to multiple dive spots in the surrounding region.

New Opportunities for Island Travel Platforms

Overall, the survey shows that Korean travelers are increasingly interested in exotic island destinations and long-haul travel experiences. At the same time, safety, professionalism, and convenient transportation infrastructure remain key factors influencing travel decisions.

This trend presents new opportunities for travel platforms and the tourism industry. Platforms that connect exotic island destinations, diving ecosystems that emphasize safety and professional services, and transportation networks that make island-to-island travel easier are all likely to play a more important role in the future.

Destinations that can provide unique travel experiences while ensuring safety and convenient mobility are expected to become increasingly attractive options for Korean travelers.

In addition, an article covering the results of the 2025 survey on ferry usage and an analysis comparing scuba diving perceptions in Korea and Japan offer further insight into these emerging travel trends.

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