Economic Shifts Reshape Global Travel Trends

## A Changed World, Changed Travel! How Exchange Rates and Oil Prices are Reshaping the Map of Korean Travel Destinations The rapid changes in the international economic environment are completely overturning the destination choices of Korean travelers. An analysis of booking data for January and April 2025 by video-based travel platform Tripbtoz clearly revealed that fluctuations in exchange rates and oil prices are dramatically reshaping travel preferences. The US's tariff policies against China, the weakening of the Korean Won due to the soaring Won-Dollar exchange rate, and the rebound in international oil prices directly lead to increases in airfares and fuel surcharges. These economically sensitive variables, which directly impact travelers' pockets, are guiding their travel decisions. According to Tripbtoz data, Japan still held its undisputed No. 1 position, but the U.S. slipped from 2nd to 4th place. In contrast, Vietnam jumped from 3rd to 2nd place, establishing itself as a truly 'cost-effective travel destination.' Due to expensive travel costs, China and Hong Kong were pushed out of the top 10, while Singapore and Austria, with their stable prices, emerged as new strong contenders. Kim Jun-sik, a director at Tripbtoz, states, "Those in their 20s and 30s don't give up on travel, but flexibly change destinations based on cost." This means that travel platforms must now transform into smart information hubs that go beyond simply recommending accommodations, comprehensively providing real-time exchange rates, airfares, and local prices. In response, Tripbtoz quickly introduced customized services for price-sensitive travelers, including exchange rate-based destination recommendations, flight ticket price tracking, and point-reward 'Travel to Earn (T2E)'. Centered around video reviews and community, the platform has essentially stepped up as a leader driving changes in travel destination selection criteria. 2025 will be a year of 'major restructuring' of travel patterns due to global economic changes, going beyond mere recovery of the travel industry. How nimbly travel platforms respond to international economic variables such as exchange rates, oil prices, and policy changes is emerging as the new key to their success.