While domestic travel still tops the charts, Thailand and Singapore are ranked most popular international destinations

While domestic travel still tops the charts, Thailand and Singapore are ranked most popular international destinations

Malaysia, 28 April 2022 – Singapore-based travelers are keen to explore newly opened borders, with neighboring Malaysia ranking top destination this Eid, while domestic travel remains number one for Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and India.

Meanwhile, booking data from digital travel platform Agoda reveals Thailand and Singapore as the most popular regional destinations for festive travelers, with Thailand leading the pack in making the top five destination list for all countries. This is followed by Singapore, which placed in top five for Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Indonesia and Malaysia are on par, emerging as Eid favorites for two countries respectively.

On the international front, Malaysians, Indonesians and Filipinos are flocking to cooler weathers with the United Kingdom and United States appearing as choice destination. India, on the other hand, seeks out warmer climate, with Maldives taking top spot followed by the United Arab Emirates.

A further comparison between booking data over the festive period in 2019 and 2022 showed a shift in top ten destination choices for each country. Japan was among the top destination choices in 2019, ranking second most desired destination for Philippines and third for Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia travelers. However, this year, Japan slipped out of the top 10 list as the country still remains closed to tourists. Other 2019 favorites such as China and Hong Kong also did not make the top 10 list this year with existing border closure. This indicates that countries that have been quick to ease restrictions and open its doors stands to gain from international tourist arrivals during this period. 

Meanwhile, the top destinations this year also indicate that travelers are opting to travel further, with unassuming countries like France, Turkey, Germany and United Arab Emirates emerging as top destination choices. Switzerland, famously known for rich milky chocolate and mesmerizing alpine scenery has etched itself into the top 10 destination list for all markets.

Top 10 Destinations for Each Country 

Malaysia

Singapore

Indonesia

Philippines

India

Malaysia

Malaysia  Indonesia Philippines India

Thailand

Thailand Singapore Singapore Maldives

Singapore

Singapore United States United States Thailand
United Kingdom Indonesia Malaysia Thailand

United Arab Emirates

Indonesia Philippines France, Thailand France

Switzerland

Turkey

Australia Switzerland Japan, Spain

Indonesia

Australia

Vietnam Turkey Netherlands, Indonesia

France, Singapore

Vietnam

South Korea Australia Italy, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Switzerland, United Kingdom

United States, United Kingdom

Switzerland

Switzerland  Netherlands South Korea, Malaysia, Germany, Vietnam, Maldives

Greece

France  United States  Italy, Japan, United Kingdom Australia 

Turkey, Canada 

 

With most countries now transitioning to endemicity, the complete easing of restrictions comes as a breath of fresh air and delight for many especially as they gear up to celebrate Eid, a festivity largely spent with family, which marks the culmination of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in the Muslim calendar. For many regions, the Eid celebration this year marks the first time since the onset of the pandemic that Muslims are able to travel freely, reunite and celebrate following the easing of travel restrictions. 

Moreover, the month of May is popular among eager travelers across Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, India and Indonesia) as the first two weeks of the month include three public holidays namely Labour Day (1 May), Eid (3-4 May) and Vesak Day (16 May), signaling a golden opportunity for travel.

Most popular destination comparisons by country over 2019 & 2022 Eid celebration period:

Top 10 Destinations for Malaysians

2022

2019

Malaysia

Malaysia

Thailand

Thailand
Singapore

Japan

United Kingdom

Singapore
Indonesia

Taiwan

Turkey

Indonesia

Australia

China
Vietnam

Vietnam

Switzerland

Australia

France 

South Korea 

 

Malaysia

  • Thailand remains the top regional destination for Malaysians over the festive period, while Singapore overtakes Japan to claim second spot. 
  • Malaysians opting for international destinations are looking to venture further this year with United Kingdom (#4), Turkey (#6), Australia (#7), Switzerland (#9) and France (#10) making an entry to the top ten list.
Top 10 Destinations for Singaporeans
2022

2019

Malaysia

Malaysia

Thailand

Singapore

Singapore

Japan, Thailand

Indonesia

Indonesia
Philippines

Taiwan

Australia

Australia
Vietnam

China

South Korea

South Korea
Switzerland

Vietnam 

United States

Philippines 

 

Singapore

  • Malaysia maintains its position as the top regional destination for Singaporeans while Thailand shifts from third spot to place second.
  • Switzerland and United States makes a welcomed entry to the list as 2019 favorites such as Japan, China and Taiwan remain closed to international tourists. 
  • Philippines jumps from the bottom of the top ten leaderboard to fifth this year.

Top 10 Destinations for Indonesians

2022

2019

Indonesia

Indonesia
Singapore

Malaysia

United States

Japan
Malaysia

Thailand

France, Thailand

Singapore
Switzerland

China

Turkey

Australia
Australia

South Korea

Netherlands

Hong Kong
Italy, United Kingdom

Taiwan

 

Indonesia

  • Malaysia, which was the number two choice back in 2019 falls two spots down to fourth place in 2022 while Singapore rose to claim second spot this year. 
  • This year also sees interesting new additions to the top ten list with United States (#3), France (#5), Switzerland (#6), Turkey (#7), Netherlands (#9), Italy and United Kingdom (#10) making an entry.
Top 10 Destinations for Philippines
2022 2019
Philippines Philippines
Singapore Japan
United States Hong Kong 
Thailand Taiwan
France Thailand
Japan, Spain Singapore
Netherlands, Indonesia South Korea
Italy, United Arad Emirates, Canada, Switzerland, United Kingdom Indonesia
South Korea, Malaysia, Germany, Vietnam, Maldives United States
Australia  Malaysia

 

Philippines

  • Filipino travelers’ top countries in 2019 – Japan (#2), Hong Kong (#3) and Taiwan (#4) were replaced by Singapore (#2), United States (#3) and Thailand (#4) in 2022 due to border restrictions.
  • Filipinos also have their sights set on European countries this year compared 2019 where Asian countries dominated the list. This includes countries like France, Spain, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and Switzerland. 
  • Singapore moved from the sixth spot in 2019 to second in 2022, while the United States jumps to third choice in 2022 from placing ninth in 2019.
Top 10 Destinations for India
2022 2019
India India
Maldives Thailand
Thailand Malaysia
United Arab Emirates Singapore
Switzerland Indonesia
Indonesia United States
France, Singapore United Kingdom
United States, United Kingdom France, Italy
Greece China
Turkey, Canada  Japan

India

  • Maldives makes an entry to become the choice international destination for Indians this year. This is followed by Thailand (#3) and United Arab Emirates (#4). 
  • Despite border reopening, Malaysia dropped out of the list this year despite placing third in 2019.

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