PR87793

SINGAPORE, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Traditionally one of the biggest annual travel periods for Asia Pacific

travelers, this Lunar New Year Agoda reveals changing travel patterns emerging

post-COVID. This year travelers are discovering off the beaten track

destinations as well as revisiting traditional tourist hotspots. Family or

group travel is the most popular traveler type and some travelers are pampering

themselves and indulging in more high-end stays. There is also an upward trend

in the search and bookings for Agoda Homes – non-hotel accommodation that offer

more 'home comfort' facilities including kitchens, separate living and sleeping

spaces.

With most international borders closed, this Lunar New Year domestic

destinations are set to enjoy the spotlight with and places like Xi'an (China),

Medan (Indonesia) and Langkawi (Malaysia) making a debut in their markets' top

eight Lunar New Year destinations waiting to be explored.  

Across the region, families or group travelers are the number one traveler

type, as many people plan to celebrate the Lunar New Year with loved ones. Thai

and Indonesian travelers in particular are focusing more on traveling with kin

and friends this year, as families or group take over couples as top traveler

type this year, compared to last year's festivities. However, couples took over

group or families as the most popular Lunar New Year traveler type in Mainland

China this year and continued to dominate the top spot for Japan and the

Philippines. In Japan, solo travelers remained the second most popular traveler

type.

Travelers treat themselves to upgrades.

Malaysian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese travelers are taking advantage of great

value deals to upgrade to 4-5-star accommodation to celebrate this year, while

Chinese travelers maintain their desire for luxury stays.  

While hotels continue to rank higher than non-hotel accommodation which

includes service apartments, unique homes, villas and resorts, non-hotel

accommodation options have become more popular for travelers from Indonesia,

Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam travelers.

"Just like the mythical Ox of the Chinese zodiac, the Asian traveler is proving

their resilience and strength this Lunar New Year through their determination

to get away and make the most of domestic travel opportunities. In a change

from non-COVID times, our data shows us that beach and countryside spots are

more popular than capital city breaks and high energy destinations.  People

want to reward their hard work and resilience with upgraded stays in top class

areas, be it beach destinations, such as Phu Quoc (Vietnam) or Boracay Island

(the Philippines), scenic mountains like Khao Yai (Thailand) and Chiayi

(Taiwan), or historic cultural destinations like Xi'an (Mainland China)," said

Timothy Hughes, Vice President Corporate Development.

Market Specific Data

Japan

- While metropolis, including Tokyo (#1), Osaka (#3), Yokohama (#4), still

  dominate the list, Okinawa with its warmer climate and whale watching, leaps

  five spots to take the 2nd place.

- 2021 top traveler types run as couples, solo travelers, groups and families.

- Japanese travelers favor budget accommodations (1-3.5 stars).

Editor's Note

Data is based on Agoda's search data, collected on 10 January 2021, with

comparable check-in dates as first day of LNY for each respective year - 25

January 2020 and 12 February 2021.

About Agoda

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

digital travel platform Agoda has grown to offer a global network of over 2

million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide,

offering travellers 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 28 countries.  Agoda.com and the Agoda

mobile app are available in 39 languages

For more information, please contact press@agoda.com

SOURCE:  Agoda