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How Koreans Prepare for International Travel: The Structure of Travel Planning Revealed Through App Usage

International Travel Is Not a Single Service, but a Series of Decisions

There is a clear pattern in how Korean travelers prepare for international trips.Rather than relying on one all-in-one travel app, they typically use different apps for flights, accommodation, activities, eSIMs, and travel insurance.

This does not simply mean that they use many travel apps.For Korean travelers, international travel planning is not about choosing a single service, but about dividing and managing multiple decisions across the journey.


Not Choosing Apps, but Assigning Roles

AI-generated image showing a modern smartphone screen displaying travel-related apps such as translation, accommodation booking, flight search, and maps used for trip preparation
AI-created image

When Korean travelers describe how they plan a trip, similar explanations appear repeatedly.


“Flights are compared across platforms, then booked elsewhere.”

“Accommodation platforms differ depending on the city.”

“Activities and attraction tickets are booked on separate apps.”


Apps are not objects of preference, but tools assigned specific roles at each stage of travel planning.Using one app for one step and another for the next is not seen as inconvenient, but as a rational way to prepare for international travel.


Compare Broadly, Decide Conservatively

Price comparison appears in almost every stage of international travel planning.However, the final booking decision rarely depends on price alone.


“If the price is the same, I choose the one with more reviews.”

“It seems better at handling refunds or changes.”

“It feels safer because it’s official.”


Price narrows the options, but the final choice favors lower perceived risk.This clearly defines Korean travelers’ behavior:they compare aggressively, but decide conservatively.


Not Every Decision Receives the Same Level of Attention


Different Decision Intensity Across Travel Planning Stages

The level of consideration varies significantly by category.


  • Flights & Accommodation

Prices, reviews, and cancellation policies are carefully compared,

as these directly affect the overall schedule and budget.

Platforms with extensive comparison options

—such as Trip.com and Agoda—are commonly used.

This stage absorbs the highest amount of decision-making effort.


  • Activities, Transportation & Attractions

Here, convenience matters more than price.

Key criteria include whether the service can be used immediately on-site and whether mobile vouchers or QR codes are supported.

As a result, decisions are made quickly on experience-focused platforms like MyRealTrip and Klook.


  • eSIM, Roaming & Travel Insurance

These are recognized as necessary, but require relatively little deliberation.


“Purchased before departure.”

“Added as a bundled option.”

“Chosen after a quick comparison.”


Rather than being repeatedly compared like flights or hotels, they function as pre-departure checklist items.


Travel Planning Is About Management, Not Optimization

Korean travelers do not attempt to optimize every decision equally.Instead, they distinguish where effort is required and where efficiency is sufficient.

Ultimately, international travel planning for Korean travelers is not built around a single travel app, but around a strategic combination of apps assigned by decision stage.

Understanding this structure is a critical starting point for any travel service or platform aiming to design for Korean users.


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