PR87468

SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The desire to travel among Japanese travelers remain strong. Being able to

travel unhindered (37%) is what most Japanese are looking forward to in 2021,

followed by spending more quality time with loved ones (33%) and getting closer

to nature and the great outdoors (8%), according to a global survey from

digital travel platform, Agoda(https://www.agoda.com/). While those aged 45-54

and 55 and above are more inclined to look forward to traveling unhindered,

Japanese in age groups 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44 are most looking forward to

spending quality time with loved ones.

The 'What Matters 2021' survey for Agoda also found that Japanese travelers are

committed to travelling at a slower pace (37%), travelling more with loved ones

(23%) and taking more spontaneous trips (13%), when traveling in 2021.

Traveling more with friends or family is the top travel commitment for

respondents aged 18-24, but across the rest of the age groups, traveling at a

slower pace was top.

General data across markets

As we usher in 2021, one in three people surveyed are most looking forward to

spending more quality time with loved ones this year. This is followed by being

able to travel unhindered (24%) and doing things that matter or make a

difference (21%). When traveling in 2021, travelers across markets are

committed to traveling more with friends and family in 2021, taking more

spontaneous trips as well as making more eco-friendly travel choices.

Interestingly, respondents 55 and above were most looking forward to traveling

unhindered, while those between ages 25-54 were keen to spend quality time with

family and friends, and youths (18-24) were most excited about making a

difference in 2021.

The 'What Matters 2021' survey for Agoda also found that globally people are

committed to traveling differently in 2021. Planning to travel more with

friends and family in 2021, taking more spontaneous trips as well as making

more eco-friendly travel choices are the top three travel priorities in the new year.

"2020 was a year of survival and of making the best of it. Despite all that

struggle and hardship, our research shows that there is a global desire for

travel, connection, meaning and spending time with friends and family. Travel

will resume eventually, because, ultimately, the human desire to travel is

unstoppable," said Tim Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development, Agoda.

"At Agoda, we believe in the future of travel. Our research backs this up,

confirming that travel is one of the top things people look forward to in 2021.

More than that - people are committed to making a difference, traveling with

people who matter, open to more unplanned, last-minute trips, and considering

the environmental impact they make as they travel."

Global Data Overview

Top things people are most looking forward to in 2021:

-Spending more quality time with loved ones is what most people from United

Kingdom (UK) and Thailand, the United States (US), the Philippines, Malaysia

and China are most looking forward to in 2021.

-Being able to travel unhindered is what Singaporeans, South Koreans and

Japanese are most looking forward to doing in the new year.

-Doing things that matter or make a difference is what Indonesians, Taiwanese,

and Vietnamese are most looking forward to.

-Getting closer to nature and the great outdoors is second on the list for

Thais, and third for Japanese.

-Fewer are looking forward to going back to the workplace in 2021. Respondents

from China (1.2%), Japan (1.5%) and UK (2%) have the smallest proportion that

are looking forward to being done with remote working, while Filipinos (9%),

Vietnamese (7%) and Indonesians (7%) are more likely to look forward to

returning to office.

-Attending live, sporting or large-scale events is second least popular on the

list, but those from US (8%), UK (8%) and Japan (7%) are more likely to look

forward to that.

Age group data

-Spending more quality time with loved ones is the top thing to look forward to

for age groups 25-34, 35 – 44 and 45 – 54, while those aged 18-24 are most

looking forward to doing things that matter, and respondents 55 and above are

most looking forward to "being able to travel unhindered".

-Getting closer to nature and the great outdoors is the third most popular

thing respondents 55 and above were looking forward to.

Top travel commitments:

-Traveling more with loved ones is the top thing all markets are most likely to

commit to doing differently when traveling in 2021, with the exception of

United Kingdom (UK) and Taiwan, where respondents are embracing the adventure

and committing to taking more spontaneous trips, and the Japanese committing to

travel at a slower pace.

-Traveling at a slower pace is the second most popular commitment for

Singaporeans and Malaysians.

-Vietnamese, South Koreans, Filipinos, Thais and Indonesians are more likely to

commit to travel sustainably. Commitment to making more eco-friendly travel

choices comes in second for these markets.

-Indonesians (16%), Thais (14%) and Japanese (13%) commit to consciously

support less touristy destinations in the new year.

Age Group Data

-Traveling more with loved ones is the top 2021 commitment across all age

groups.

-Those in age groups 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 are likely to commit to more eco-friendly

travel choices, which stood as their second top commitment for the new year.

-Traveling at a slower pace is second for those 55 and above.

-Taking more spontaneous trips is the third most popular choice across all age

groups (24-34, 35-44, 45-54 , 55+) except for those between ages 18 – 24 which

was second among their commitments, and fourth most popular choice for 45-54

age group.

Note to editors:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Singapore PTE Limited.

Total sample size was 16,064 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th and

16th December. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been

weighted and are representative of adults in the respective countries (aged

18+). Additional market breakdown can be found in the Agoda Press

Room(https://www.agoda.com/press).

About Agoda

From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005,

digital travel platform Agoda(https://www.agoda.com/) has grown to offer a

global network of over 2.4 million properties in more than 200 countries and

territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of

luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas, to suit all budgets and

travel occasions. In 2019, Agoda added a flight product and packages to help

make travel even easier.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG)

and employs more than 4,000 staff in 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda

mobile app are available in 39 languages.

For more information, please contact press@agoda.com

SOURCE:  Agoda