High exchange rates reshape holiday travel choices
Kim, who resides in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, had planned a trip to the United States during the Lunar New Year holiday next month but changed his destination to Sokcho, Gangwon Province. The 34-year-old, who works at an IT startup, said he revised his plans after the total cost of the trip turned out to be much higher than expected due to the won's weakness against the U.S. dollar and rising local prices. The won-dollar exchange rate has climbed into the mid-1,470 won range during intraday trading this month. “If I went to the United States, daily expenses would be a burden because of the high exchange rate,” Kim said. “Domestic travel involves shorter travel times and more predictable costs, which makes it less stressful. The plan is to stay at a good resort and relax.” Bae, who lives in Incheon and works for a large corporation, is in a similar situation. She chose Sapporo, Japan, as her family’s holiday destination. The 42-year-old had originally considered a long-distance overseas trip to warmer regions such as Australia or New Zealand for the sake of her two young daughter
