How exchange rates influence global travel decisions, Some travelers chase sunsets Others chase exchange rates Call it “currency tourism” — the subtle but powerful influence of foreign exchange rates on people’s vacation choices When a destination becomes relatively cheaper due to FX shifts it doesn’t just attract bargain hunters — it can reshape travel flows boost local economies and challenge conventional wisdom about tourism demand, Currency exchange rates and travel costs The FX factor in vacation planning, Exchange rates affect more than just the cost of a cappuccino in Rome They influence perceived value purchasing power and the psychological comfort of “getting a deal”  Americans may flock to Japan when the yen weakens while Canadians cross the border when the loonie is strong (and trade tensions have eased Brits post-Brexit have recalibrated their holiday plans based on the pound’s performance…, How currency fluctuations shape tourism economies, Tourism-dependent economies feel FX shifts acutely A weaker currency can boost arrivals but not always uniformly A study of Italy’s inbound tourism found that exchange rates significantly affected arrivals from some countries (eg Brazil Canada Poland but had no statistical impact from others including the US and Japan  FX sensitivity can vary by origin-destination currency pair Thailand for…, Currency exchange and travel money Payment habits around the world, Travelers don’t just respond to FX — they navigate it Japanese tourists often exchange cash before departure Americans rely on credit cards and automated teller machines Europeans may preload multi-currency wallets In China mobile payments dominate while Germans still favor cash How you pay depends on where you’re from These habits reflect trust convenience and local norms They also shape how FX…, The global reach of the dollar and its impact on tourism, Economists talk about dominant currency pricing - the tendency for hotels airlines and tour operators to set prices in US dollars even when their local currency fluctuates For travelers this means the dollar’s strength or weakness can ripple far beyond one country’s exchange rate Have dollars will travel — anywhere When the dollar strengthens destinations that peg prices to it can suddenly feel…, Behavioral economics and travel why we feel richer abroad, Why do people feel richer abroad — or poorer Behavioral economics offers a few clues Anchoring bias leads travelers to compare foreign prices to home-country norms A $5 espresso in Milan may feel expensive to an American but cheap to a Brit This perception shapes spending behavior more than actual FX math Then there’s “vacation inflation”—the tendency to overspend when things feel cheap A strong…, Currency tourism policy Lessons for global destinations, For policymakers and tourism boards understanding FX dynamics is more than academic—it’s strategic Exchange rate movements can influence not just visitor numbers but visitor behavior A surge in arrivals may not translate to higher spending if travelers perceive the destination as “cheap” anchoring expectations and spending cautiously thinking “I shouldn’t overspend here” Cheapness equals…, Digital nomads and stablecoins The future of travel payments, Remote work has created a class of travelers who view FX rates in a long-term cost-of-living arbitrage instead of worrying about short-term FX swings These travelers choose destinations where their income — often in dollars or euros — stretches further FX rates matter but the decision to travel is more structural relocating to Lisbon instead of Paris for months Got sunscreen and a wide-brimmed…, Foreign exchange The invisible driver behind global wanderlust, Currency tourism isn’t just about chasing deals—it’s about how travelers perceive value how destinations compete and how FX shapes global movement in subtle ways For institutional investors travel economists and policymakers it’s a reminder that foreign exchange isn’t confined to trading desks—it’s embedded in everyday decisions For travelers It’s one more reason to check the exchange rate before…, The Quiet engine of global risk, How carry trades shape and shake markets Read article, The new currency wars, Soros stablecoins and what yesterday’s currency crisis reveals about tomorrows digital collapse Read article   Sources Ding D & Timmer Y (2023 Exchange Rate Elasticities of International Tourism and the Role of Dominant Currency Pricing Federal Reserve Board PDF Quadri DL & Zheng T (2009 A Revisit to the Impact of Exchange Rates on Tourism Demand The Case of Italy ScholarWorks at UMass…

Dan Barlow is a Director in Mesirow Public Finance He serves in a multifunctional role by providing quantitative analysis and execution support for municipal clients Dan has over 15 years of experience in public finance Prior to joining Mesirow in 2011 he worked at H J Umbaugh & Associates where he was an Independent Finance Advisor to state and local governments He has participated in the…

Danny Coakley joined Mesirow in September 2025 and is currently a Senior Fund Accountant in the direct real estate investment business He is responsible for financial reporting cash management and process development  Prior to joining Mesirow Danny was a Senior Accountant at Cascade Capital Group where he was responsible for accounting system upgrades investor reporting and lender compliance…

Dan Kaspari is a Senior Client Relationship Specialist in Mesirow Wealth Management He is responsible for day-to-day client service and communications including client portfolio analysis trade requests account processing and documentation Dan joined the firm in 2006 and has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry Dan volunteers at the Greater Chicago Bird Society shelter in…

Danny Margolis is a Managing Director in Mesirow CTL and Structured Debt Products where he leads originations for Mesirow’s SASB CMBS vertical Danny also focuses on various aspects of CTL and Structured Debt’s DCM advisory capabilities particularly as they relate to corporate-level debt capital solutions for real estate investment managers In addition Danny is responsible for the group’s Loan…

Daniel Mesirow is a Wealth Specialist in Mesirow Wealth Management He is responsible for helping his team create comprehensive financial plans for individuals and families to help them accumulate grow protect and distribute their wealth Prior to joining Mesirow full-time in 2024 Daniel held a position as a Capital Markets Rotational intern He was also an intern in Tel Aviv Israel in market…

Dan Nyhan is a Managing Director in Mesirow Sale-Leaseback Capital In this capacity he participates in the origination/disposition of properties and management of its day-to-day operations  As Co-Head of Mesirow Realty Bridge Equity he is responsible for leading Mesirow’s Bridge Equity business and participates in all aspects of the investment process including much of its origination and…

Daniel Toboja is a Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Trading in Mesirow Institutional Sales and Trading In this role Dan leads the IS&T high-yield municipal trading desk Daniel will utilize Mesirow’s credit research and established trading desk to diversify Mesirow’s product offering  Daniel has more than 17 years of experience managing trading desks and trading general and high yield…

Daria is an Senior Analyst in Mesirow CTL and Structured Products She is responsible for supporting the team in research and analysis Prior to joining Mesirow Daria worked at Liberty Federal Credit Union as a mortgage loan processor focusing on residential mortgage products Daria earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Evansville and a Master of Business…