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This paper analyzes the utility elasticity of travel using Japanese household expenditure data. By estimating three complementary models, it identifies substitution patterns across different levels of consumption.

A key focus of the analysis is whether domestic tourism can serve as a substitute for foreign tourism among Japanese households. The results provide a clear answer to this question and quantify the role of relative prices in shaping travel demand.

In examining overseas travel by Korean residents, the Korea Overseas Travel Intensity Index (KOTII) serves as a comprehensive indicator that captures both the overall level and the evolving trends of international travel demand. By measuring participation in outbound travel in a standardized way, the index enables consistent comparisons over time relative to a defined baseline. Anchoring the index to this reference point allows changes to be interpreted intuitively as either an expansion or a contraction in travel intensity.

This analytical framework is built on a coherent integration of key indicators derived from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Korea National Tourism Survey, particularly trips per person and the Experience Rate (ER). While the KOTII provides a summary measure of overall travel demand, ER and trips per traveler offer additional insight into its underlying dynamics by distinguishing between participation effects and intensity effects. This distinction is especially valuable in tourism economics, as it helps clarify whether growth in outbound travel is driven by a broader base of participants or by increased travel frequency among existing travelers.

In practical terms, the index system can be effectively applied to market monitoring, demand forecasting, and policy evaluation. Overall, the Korea Overseas Travel Intensity Index and its related indicators provide a nuanced and policy-relevant framework for understanding outbound tourism demand, offering not only a clear measure of aggregate travel intensity but also a structured approach to interpreting the key factors that shape its evolution.

The Japan Outbound Travel Intensity Index (JOTII) measures the level of overseas travel activity generated by Japanese residents relative to a specified reference period. The index reflects the overall intensity of outbound travel demand by combining information on the participation of residents in international travel and the frequency with which such trips are undertaken. The index is constructed using official statistics on travel behavior published by the Japan Tourism Agency through its Japan national  tourism survey. 

The index is expressed relative to a base year set equal to 100, allowing users to interpret changes in travel behavior over time in a standardized manner. Values above the base level indicate stronger outbound travel intensity compared with the base period, whereas values below it indicate weaker outbound travel activity. Taken together, these index values provide a comprehensive measure of the strength of outbound tourism demand among Japanese residents.

In tourism economics and market analysis, the Japan Outbound Travel Intensity Index serves as a practical indicator of the underlying momentum of outbound tourism. Researchers, policy analysts, and industry stakeholders use the index to monitor cyclical fluctuations in international travel demand, evaluate the recovery of outbound tourism following economic shocks, and analyze seasonal as well as structural changes in Japanese travel behavior. The index also facilitates intertemporal comparisons, enabling analysts to track long-term trends in Japan’s outbound tourism market and assess the responsiveness of travel demand to economic conditions, policy measures, and external events affecting international mobility.

By providing a consistent benchmark for measuring outbound travel intensity, the Japan Outbound Travel Intensity Index offers a concise analytical tool for understanding the evolution of Japan’s international tourism demand and for supporting evidence-based decision-making in tourism policy, destination marketing, and travel industry strategy.

This paper evaluates the short-run tourism impact of the 2025 Osaka–Kansai World Expo (Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai) using the Synthetic Control Method (SCM). By constructing a counterfactual trajectory of foreign visitor arrivals to the Kansai region in the absence of the Expo, the study identifies the causal effect of the event on international tourism demand. The monthly increase in inbound visitors attributable to the Expo is translated into tourism revenue by combining SCM-based estimates with official visitor expenditure statistics published by the Japan Tourism Agency.

The analysis conducts a short-run cost–benefit assessment covering the Expo’s operating period (April~October 2025). In addition, post-treatment changes in visitor arrivals from November 2025 onward are examined to explore potential persistence or legacy effects.

By integrating causal inference with official tourism expenditure data, this study provides policy-relevant evidence on whether EXPO 2025 generated net economic benefits through increased inbound tourism during and immediately following the event period.

This study investigates the structural configuration of Singapore’s inbound tourism market during the post-pandemic recovery period from 2023 to 2025.

By developing a layered interpretation of market structure and demonstrating the analytical value of concentration-based measures in assessing structural risk, the findings provide important guidance for policymakers and tourism marketers in designing strategies aimed at preserving structural stability and sustaining long-term competitiveness.

This study analyzes the structural concentration of Taiwan’s inbound tourism market over the period 2023–2025. Using annual visitor arrival data disaggregated by country of residence, the study evaluates the degree of dependence on major source markets while simultaneously examining the overall distributional balance and systemic concentration risk across all origin countries.

The integrated analysis reveals the presence of a moderately concentrated top tier of source markets embedded within a diversified and resilient inbound tourism portfolio. From a tourism economics perspective, such a structure mitigates systemic vulnerability to country-specific shocks and enhances overall market resilience.

By demonstrating the analytical value of assessing tourism market structure and concentration risk, the findings provide important guidance for policymakers and tourism marketers in designing strategies aimed at sustaining structural stability and long-term competitiveness.

This study examines tourism-related comparative advantage in the Asia economy, focusing on five major Asian economies, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, using an Extended Revealed Comparative Advantage (ERCA) framework derived from balance-of-payments net trade shares. In contrast to the traditional Balassa index, which is based solely on export shares, the ERCA index incorporates both tourism credits and debits, allowing for a more accurate assessment of structural tourism specialization within Asian economies. Using quarterly data from 2022Q1 to 2025Q2, three complementary ERCA-based measures are constructed. The empirical results provide policy-relevant insights into the evolving structural role of tourism in the Asian economies.

This paper examines the extent to which Japan’s current account balance depends on inbound tourism receipts. Using monthly Balance of Payments (BOP) data published by the Bank of Japan from January 2023 to June 2025, we construct an Inbound Tourism Dependence Ratio under a broad definition that includes travel-related consumption and passenger air transport services. Departing from previous studies that emphasize tourism scale or GDP contributions, this study focuses on the structural dependence of the current account on inbound tourism using high-frequency external accounts data.

The results indicate that inbound tourism has become a structurally important component of Japan’s current account, particularly during periods of current account compression. Dependence intensifies when the current account narrows or turns negative, highlighting tourism’s role as both a stabilizing buffer and a source of structural vulnerability. These findings suggest that tourism should be integrated into broader macroeconomic and external balance policy frameworks rather than treated as a supplementary sector.

The Korea Outbound Tourism Economy Monitor is a monthly publication that provides timely analyses of Korea’s outbound tourism trends in relation to domestic and global economic developments that shape traveler behavior and industry dynamics.

Focusing exclusively on outbound travel, the report draws on high-frequency data to examine changes in Korean travelers’ destination choices, spending patterns, and travel demand in the context of key macroeconomic factors – including income, exchange rates, consumer sentiment, and travel-related prices.

Each issue presents comprehensive updates on Korea’s outbound tourism indicators alongside expert commentary on market conditions in major destination countries. It also provides forward-looking assessments of economic drivers, risks, and emerging opportunities affecting Korea’s overseas travel market.

Designed for tourism businesses, policymakers, and market analysts, the Korea Outbound Tourism Economy Monitor delivers evidence-based insights to support data-driven decisions and strategic planning in the evolving global tourism landscape.

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The Japan Outbound Tourism Economy Monitor is a monthly publication that provides timely analyses of Japan’s outbound tourism trends in relation to domestic and global economic developments that shape traveler behavior and industry dynamics.

Focusing exclusively on outbound travel, the report draws on high-frequency data to examine changes in Japanese travelers’ destination choices, spending patterns, and travel demand in the context of key macroeconomic factors – including income, exchange rates, consumer sentiment, and travel-related prices.

Each issue presents comprehensive updates on Japan’s outbound tourism indicators alongside expert commentary on market conditions in major destination countries. It also provides forward-looking assessments of economic drivers, risks, and emerging opportunities affecting Japan’s overseas travel market.

Designed for tourism businesses, policymakers, and market analysts, the Japan Outbound Tourism Economy Monitor delivers evidence-based insights to support data-driven decisions and strategic planning in the evolving global tourism landscape.

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The RPI Monitor: Monthly Trends for Korean Travelers to Japan tracks the relative price competitiveness of Japan as a travel destination for Korean residents. The Relative Price Index (RPI) combines movements in Japan’s consumer prices and the Korea–Japan exchange rate to measure changes in travel cost conditions faced by Korean travelers.

Each issue presents monthly (MoM), annual (YoY), and year-to-date (YtD) variations in the RPI, along with a decomposition analysis separating the effects of foreign prices and exchange rate fluctuations.

By identifying whether changes in the RPI are driven by price differentials or currency movements, the RPI Monitor provides timely insights for assessing travel affordability, competitiveness, and economic implications in bilateral tourism flows between Korea and Japan.

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This paper suggested the predictive power of Japan’s Consumer Confidence Index as a leading index that can be used to identify trends in Japanese overseas travel.

This research paper examines the relationship between the Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) and the demand for overseas travel among Koreans. It will provide insights into how CSI can be utilized to analyze the flow and trends of Koreans’ international travel.

This research investigates the segmentation, targeting, and positioning (STP) strategies for Japanese outbound tourists by applying multivariate techniques to a rich set of travel behavior data.

The analysis resulted in seven distinctly different segments – ranging from luxury sophisticates and young adventurers to regional family travelers and culture enthusiasts – each reflecting unique preferences, motives, and spending patterns. Based on these profiles, tailored targeting and positioning strategies were formulated to enable destination marketers and policy makers to more effectively appeal to desirable segments and maximize tourism benefits. The results underscore the necessity for a data-informed, nuanced approach to tourism marketing and policy design in an increasingly competitive and dynamic international tourism market.

This study examines the short-term effects of exchange rate fluctuations on inbound tourism to Japan. The analysis uncovers compelling evidence that movements in the yen’s value may do more than reflect economic conditions – they appear to play a direct role in shaping inbound tourism flows. The relationship observed suggests that a weaker yen may serve as an important factor contributing to the rise in foreign tourist arrivals. The results not only point to a statistically significant relationship but also raise important policy questions about how exchange rate dynamics might serve as an indirect lever for boosting tourism and expanding service exports.

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