Beyond simple sightseeing, a journey to discover sensible spaces and brands.
– Drawing a virtuous cycle structure where regions and platforms grow together
– Participating as the official digital partner of the 2025 Korea International Art Fair (KIAF), a journey from local to art
Is travel simply a movement, or a sensory experience? CEO Yoon Seok-ho found the answer to the latter.
DAYTRIP KOREA defines travel as a "journey of discovery," curating the hidden stories of local communities with a captivating sense of wonder. From small spaces in Seoul to the emotional sites of Jeju Island and even international cities, the journeys he envisions are always imbued with the thrill of discovery.
Break away from the standardized travel
Date Trip Korea was founded on a concern about the homogenization of travel. While information abounds online, ratings and reviews lack credibility, and the public continues to seek out the same places.
"People want to discover new spaces, places of their own. But that process isn't easy. We believe the essence of travel isn't simply visiting famous places, but experiencing the unique stories and atmosphere of spaces and brands."
This philosophy soon led to a focus on "local travel." CEO Yoon stated, "The unique sensibility and authenticity of a region, not found in large-scale tourist destinations, adds new value to travel."
CEO Yoon sees the greatest potential in the domestic local travel market in "diverse emotional content." Hidden spaces and brands everywhere have their own unique stories, and when curated with a sense of sensibility, these can be reborn as new travel experiences.
However, limitations are clear. CEO Yoon pointed out "information fragmentation and lack of accessibility." While there is a wealth of compelling local content, consumers struggle to find it. To overcome this, Date Trip Korea is working to bundle fragmented information into a "complete emotional journey."
What the MZ generation wants is an ' authentic experience '.
Recently, the MZ generation's travel consumption patterns are shifting toward "locality" and "authenticity." CEO Yoon interprets this as a sign that "the subject of the experience has shifted to the consumer."
"Now, people aren't satisfied with simply viewing things; they want experiences that tell their own stories. That's why we're designing interactive programs like workshops, tours, and pop-ups that allow them to experience the brand's story firsthand."
CEO Yoon explained that Date Trip's core value is creating moments where travelers connect emotionally with the brand, rather than simply consuming information.
Curated by ' sensitivity '
Date Trip's criteria for discovering local content is clear: "sensibility." Beyond simply introducing famous locations, we look for unique moods, refined details, and compelling stories that leave a lasting impression.
To achieve this, we collaborate with a network of over 200 creators both domestically and internationally, unraveling the essence of each space and brand "like a journey." Rather than simply listing locations, we design emotional narratives, each scene connecting them.
CEO Yoon emphasized that “what we ultimately want to convey to travelers is the ‘joy of discovery,’” and that his goal is to provide special experiences in places that others do not know about.
Datetrip collaborates with local creators and small business owners to create content that captures the hidden value of the region. This not only enhances the platform's content competitiveness but also provides opportunities for smaller brands to gain exposure. CEO Yoon described this as "a virtuous cycle that simultaneously revitalizes the local economy and fosters platform growth."
A new commerce that leads from experience to purchase
Date Trip Korea currently operates four service areas: Curated Media, Studio, Experience, and Space. These services, which encompass everything from content creation to brand experience design, will soon be integrated into commerce.
"Going forward, we plan to create a structure where consumers can naturally purchase products through experiences. We aim to implement a new commerce model where experiences directly lead to purchases."
We are currently renewing our app, and in the process, we are preparing to introduce a local commerce service.
From local to art , the journey expands.
Date Trip's long-term goal is to become a new standard for connecting spaces and brands through emotional connection, using "TRIP" as a medium. Beyond simply providing travel information, we aim to create unique experiences that inspire everyday journeys and immerse the brand within them.
In particular, in 2025, we will participate as the official digital partner of the Korea International Art Fair (KIAF). CEO Yoon stated, "Through this opportunity, we plan to expand into the domestic and international art communities, collaborating with local galleries as well as large-scale exhibitions."
At the end of the interview, CEO Yoon offered the following advice to those preparing to start a business.
"Find your own unique sensibility and never lose it. Rather than being swayed by market trends or competitors, you need to think about how to sensually express your intrinsic appeal. The content and experiences you create will leave a lasting impression and create a brand that will be remembered for a long time. In an age where AI can replicate anything, only services with a unique sensibility will ultimately survive."
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