As the Lunar New Year approaches, digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Bangkok has once again claimed the spotlight as the most sought-after destination for both international and Thai travelers celebrating the start of 'The Year of the Snake' in Thailand. Agoda further reports that, based on accommodation searches on the platform in December last year, Tokyo is the top choice among Thai travelers looking to spend the Lunar New Year holiday abroad.
Bangkok shines once again as the top choice for Lunar New Year accommodation searches for Thai travelers, reaffirming its status as a favorite destination for festive celebrations. Pattaya and Chiang Mai also rank highly, with growth rates of 38% and 55%. In a stunning twist, Khon Kaen has seen an increase of 2,964%, showcasing a growing interest in this emerging destination!
For international travelers celebrating the Year of the Snake in Thailand, the top three destinations are still Bangkok, Phuket, and Hat Yai. This year, searches for these hotspots have soared, with increases of 70%, 80%, and 30%, respectively. Interestingly, Malaysian travelers search accommodations in Thailand the most for two consecutive years. Meanwhile, Korean travelers have slipped from second to third place, adding an intriguing twist to the rankings.
For Thai travelers planning to celebrate Lunar New Year abroad, Tokyo has once again claimed the top spot as the number one destination, with accommodation searches growing by 66%. Meanwhile, Seoul has made a debut in second place, seeing 519% in searches after not appearing in last year's rankings. Osaka rounds out the top three, shifting from second to third place, with a solid 42% increase in searches. Surprisingly, Hong Kong, which held the third spot last year, is no longer on the list, underscoring the dynamic and ever-changing preferences of travelers!
Pierre Honne, Senior Country Director at Agoda, said, "The Lunar New Year holiday is one of Asia's most popular travel periods and it's great to see growing interest in Thailand from international and domestic travelers alike. Cities like Bangkok showcases the wonderful diversity of experiences in Thailand to celebrate the festive season. Whether welcoming the new year from Thailand or traveling abroad, Agoda offers travelers great deals on flights, accommodations and activities to usher in the Year of the Snake."
The Lunar New Year holiday marks new beginnings and the arrival of Spring, making it a significant travel period as people look to reunite with family and friends. 'The Year of the Snake' symbolizes rebirth and transformation and is said to present an auspicious opportunity for embracing self-discovery and exploring new horizons. Known for their association with good fortune, snakes inspire travelers to shed the old and welcome the new ? whether by rediscovering familiar places or venturing abroad during this festive season.
Looking at the combined preferences of Asian travelers, Japanese cities in particular emerged as favorites for the Lunar New Year holiday period with Tokyo taking the crown, followed by Bangkok (Thailand), Osaka (Japan), Fukuoka (Japan), and Seoul (South Korea).
As travelers prepare to 'embrace the year of snake', Agoda offers exceptional deals for their Lunar New Year holiday on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.