Tag: Travel trends

Singapore – Skyscanner, the global travel marketplace, looks at a year in which it assisted a record number of passengers in experiencing the world. It now provides a complete overview of Singapore’s travel trends for 2023.

Bangkok maintains its position as the most popular destination in 2023. Travellers from Singapore clearly consider The Land of Smiles to be their first choice, whether they are taking tuk-tuk rides, taking in the nightlife of the city, enjoying mango sticky rice and drinking Thai milk tea at lively night markets, or touring the newest, largest shopping malls.

Bali was named the second most popular location for Singaporean tourists this year. Bali’s attraction is based on its beaches, beach clubs, and a range of water activities, including surfing experiences, making it the ideal retreat for friends, couples, and children.

Travellers from Singapore are increasingly opting to visit affordable Southeast Asian destinations that provide cultural experiences and varied culinary options in the current year. Yogyakarta is the most affordable travel destination, according to Skyscanner data, with return tickets averaged about S$168 per person in 2023.

Yogyakarta is ranked seventh out of the top ten trending locations for Singaporeans in Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024 report, indicating one of the largest annual growth rates in search volume.

Speaking about the travel trends, Cyndi Hui, a trend expert, said, “Looking back on the year of travel shows how Singapore has embraced the freedoms of international travel despite the pinch on purse strings. We see how this traveller behaviour correlates with the emerging trends for 2024. Our latest Travel Trends 2024 report highlights how value will remain a key consideration, but not at the expense of cultural exploration, travellers are simply being savvier with how they travel.” 

She added, “Next year will see Singapore travellers planning trips to smaller cities in their favourite country, Japan, with 4 Japanese cities coming out as the top trending destination for 2024. We also predict Los Angeles in the US to be a great-value destination for SG travellers in 2024, with flights having dropped by almost a quarter over the past 12 months.” 

“2024 will also see Singapore travellers going on Netflix-inspired vacations, with 84% being inspired to take a trip to a destination they’ve seen on the big or small screen. In addition, many may be heading abroad to see their favourite artists play, with almost half (46%) saying they would travel to short-haul destinations to hear their favourite tracks live,” Hui stated. 

Hong Kong, China – Consumer travel spending among the Chinese has been on an upward trend during the first half of the year, according to a study by iClick. 

Duty-free products in Hainan province saw RMB 1.07 billion (US$167 million) in sales from July 1 to 15, with daily sales hitting RMB 71 million (US$10.3 million), a 30 percent rise over daily sales in June. iClick said the boost was helped by an increase in the tax free shopping quota in Hainan from RMB 28,000 (US$4,261) to RMB 100,000 (US$14,451) per person each year.

When the coronavirus pandemic took its toll early this year, the situation has dampened the confidence of many Chinese consumers at the onset.  During the pandemic, surveys were conducted to find out how consumers feel about the situation.

In February, 49% of consumers expressed their optimism that the economy will recover in 2-3 months, while another 49% believes that the adverse impact of the pandemic will last 6-12 months or longer. As the signs of economic rebound began to manifest, optimism among the Chinese consumers gradually improved to 53% while pessimism fell to 40%.

Although more people are travelling with daily flights returning to nearly 80% of pre-epidemic volume in China in the month of July, there are still those that are staying on-ground and spending their money on local purchases. 

The 6.18 midyear shopping festival brought in a reported RMB 1 trillion (US$144.5 billion) with Tmall Global direct reporting a GMV growth of 199% year-on-year and JD International enjoying a 110% boost over last year’s sales.

Australia – In the middle of months-long country lockdowns and travel restrictions, Australian and Kiwi locals are showing eagerness to travel with South Pacific island Mo’orea in French Polynesia and the Great Southern Region in Western Australia topping their destination wishlist for 2021, said a study by Australian-owned travel platform Vacaay.

The findings were based on users’ planned itineraries on Vacaay’s platform. Among their eyed destinations is also Whitsundays Islands in Queensland landing on the third spot. Canterbury region in New Zealand and North Australia’s Arnhem Land were also on travelers’ radar, entering the list as the fourth and fifth most favored destination respectively.

The study has also identified travel practices which are expected to be key trends by next year such as slow travel, with travelers’ itinerary having fewer destinations but with longer stay. Travelers are also forecast to indulge in luxurious travel experiences, with travelers having reserved a disposable income amid the lockdown.

Vacaay CEO Pete McKeon said, “In 2020 the world became a lot smaller. For some of us, the dream of travel stopped five kilometers from the front door, while others had an entire state as their playground. But no matter the restrictions, Australians have proven to be tenacious travelers. We’re greedily exploring our own backyard, sometimes literally, and we’re keeping the dream of travel well and truly alive for 2021,”