Asia’s diverse and frequent public holidays are creating strong momentum in the Asia Pacific (APAC) travel sector, as more travelers look to optimize their leisure time through short getaways. Agoda reports a growing preference among Asian tourists to stay within the region, revealing an opportunity for hoteliers to attract demand for frequent, shorter trips.
Notable Surge in Travel Searches Around Holidays
Agoda observed an 80% month-on-month rise in accommodation searches from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore during the Hari Raya long weekend, with popular destinations being Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. During Thailand’s Songkran break, travelers sought Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai, and Seoul. Vietnam’s long weekend for Liberation Day and Labor Day saw Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul emerge as top destinations.
Hotels Encouraged to Capitalize on the Trend
Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda, said, “The opportunity for hotels and airlines to secure bookings and incentivize travelers to extend their trips and add ancillary items to boost revenue over long weekends has never been greater. Hotels should use the right data to target top consumers across the region and tailor services to suit their preferences—for instance, offering larger or connected rooms for family travel.”
Upcoming Long Weekends in 2025
Key public holidays to watch for in the region include:
Malaysia:
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday (Jun 2)
• Awal Muharram (Jun 27)
• Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Sept 5)
• Deepavali (Oct 20)
Philippines:
• National Heroes Day (Aug 25)
Singapore:
• Deepavali (Oct 20)
Taiwan:
• Mid-Autumn Festival (Oct 6)
Thailand:
• Queen Suthida’s Birthday (Jun 3)
• Khao Phansa Day (Jul 11)
• King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday (Jul 28)
• Queen Mother’s Birthday (Aug 12)
• Passing of His Majesty the Late King (Oct 13)
• His Majesty the Late King’s Birthday (Dec 5)
Strategies for Hotels to Leverage Long Weekend Travel
- Content Marketing: Create city-specific guides and event highlights for long weekends, optimized for search engines.
- Weekend Packages: Offer “Stay 4 Nights, Pay for 3” promotions in partnership with platforms like Agoda.
- Value-Added Services: Include extras like late check-out, breakfast, or attraction tickets to enhance short stays.
- Wellness & Local Experiences: Design spa retreats, food experiences, and wellness packages that fit three-day holidays, tapping into the USD 156.85 billion Asian wellness market.
