Agoda reveals 2019's top destinations for travelers during the Spring Festival

SINGAPORE,Jan. 31,2019 -- Bangkok,Tokyo and Taipei are the top three most popular destination for Asia Pacific travelers over the Lunar New Year period in 2019,according to booking data from Agoda,one of the fastest growing digital travel platforms. This year,Osaka,slips from third spot in 2018 to sixth,while Taiwan scoops three of the top ten destinations with Taipei in third,and Kaohsiung and Taichung in fifth and seventh respectively. Overall,Japan,Taiwan and Thailand will benefit most from travelers celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Travels during the Spring Festival tend to be reserved for family bonding and indulging in food and leisure activities that the whole family can enjoy. It is thus not surprising that most travelers in the region has chosen gourmet and retail paradise in Bangkok,Tokyo,Taipei,Kuala Lumpur and Singapore among their top ten destinations.

Top 10 destinations for Asian travelers in 2019

2017

2018

2019

1. Bangkok,Thailand

1. Tokyo,Japan

1. Bangkok,Thailand

2. Tokyo,Japan

2. Bangkok,Japan

3. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

3. Osaka,Japan

3. Taipei,Taiwan

4. Taipei,Taiwan

4. Hong Kong

5. Hong Kong

5. Seoul,South Korea

5. Kaohsiung,Taiwan

6. Seoul,South Korea

6. Hong Kong

6. Osaka,Japan

7. Osaka,Japan

7. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

7. Taichung,Taiwan

8. Singapore

8. Singapore

8. Sapporo,Japan

9. Chiang Mai,Thailand

9. Kyoto,Japan

9. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

10. Pattaya,Thailand

10. Phuket,Thailand

10. Singapore

Taking a look by market:

China

The Lunar New Year is celebrated in many cities across Asia,but Chinese travelers enjoy the longest holiday. With a week to spare,Chinese tourists are spending their New Year in cities such as Hong Kong,Tokyo and Bangkok.

2017

2018

2019

1. Bangkok,Thailand

1. Hong Kong

1. Hong Kong

2. Hong Kong

2. Phuket,Japan

3. Phuket,Thailand

3. Bangkok,Thailand

4. Chiang Mai,Thailand

4. Tokyo,Japan

4. Phuket Island,Thailand

5. Tokyo,Japan

5. Chiang Mai,Thailand

5. Osaka,Japan

6. Taipei,Taiwan

6. Taipei,Taiwan

6. Chiang Mai,Thailand

7. Bali,Indonesia

7. Osaka,Malaysia

8. Osaka,Japan

8. Sapporo,Japan

8. Singapore

9. Nha Trang,Vietnam

9. Bali,Indonesia

9. Taipei,Taiwan

10. Kyoto,Japan

10. Boracay Island,Philippines

10. Kyoto,Japan

Hong Kong

This year,Hong Kongers chose to change things up,traveling to Japan,Thailand and Taiwan over the previously favored Korea. In fact,Korea dropped out of the top three destinations altogether to settle at the fifth spot. Staycations have also risen in popularity,and Hong Kong made its way into the top ten this year as well.

2017

2018

2019

1. Seoul,South Korea

1. Seoul,South Korea

1. Tokyo

2. Tokyo,Japan

2. Tokyo,Japan

2. Bangkok

3. Taipei,Taiwan

3. Osaka,Japan

3. Taipei

4. Osaka,Japan

4. Taipei,Taiwan

4. Osaka

5. Bangkok,Thailand

5. Bangkok,Thailand

5. Seoul

6. Macau

6. Macau

6. Macau

7. Guangzhou,China

7. Fukuoka,Japan

7. Fukuoka

8. Sapporo,Japan

8. Kyoto,Japan

8. Sapporo

9. Pattaya,Thailand

9. Sapporo,Japan

9. Hong Kong

10. Kyoto,Japan

10. Nagoya,Japan

10. Guangzhou

Indonesia

Indonesians are venturing further afield this year to celebrate the Lunar New Year,with Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo taking up two out of three of its top travel destinations. Japan is rising in popularity,as theregion adds Sapporo with its winter wonderland into Indonesia's top ten destinations.

2017

2018

2019

1. Bandung,Indonesia

1. Bandung,Indonesia

1. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

2. Jakarta,Indonesia

2. Bali,Indonesia

3. Bali,Indonesia

3. Yogyakarta,Indonesia

3. Tokyo,Japan

4. Yogyakarta,Indonesia

4. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

4. Bangkok,Thailand

5. Surabaya,Indonesia

5. Singapore

5. Bandung,Indonesia

6. Singapore

6. Jakarta,Indonesia

6. Singapore

7. Bogor,Indonesia

7. Tokyo,Japan

7. Genting Highlands

8. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

8. Malang,Indonesia

8.Sapporo,Japan

9. Semarang,Indonesia

9. Bangkok,Thailand

9. Yogyakarta,Indonesia

10. Malang,Indonesia

10. Puncak,Indonesia

10. Penang,Malaysia

Japan

Agoda data shows,domestic travels dominates the travel agenda for Japanese travelers over Lunar New Year this year,clinching six out of ten spots in the list. Thailand continues to be a hot spot for those seeking a tropical celebration,and Hawaii makes its entrance into the top ten list for the first time.

2017

2018

2019

1. Bangkok,Thailand

1. Bangkok,Thailand

3. Seoul,South Korea

3. Seoul,South Korea

3. Yokohama,Japan

4. Pattaya,Thailand

4.Pattaya,Thailand

4. Sapporo,Japan

5. Manila,Philippines

5.Osaka,Japan

5. Pattaya,Thailand

6. Osaka,Japan

6. Manila,Philippines

6. Osaka,Japan

7. Kyoto,Japan

7. Okinawa Main Island,Japan

7. Okinawa Main island,Japan

8. Cebu,Philippines

8. Bali,Indonesia

8. Fukuoka,Japan

9. Sapporo,Japan

9. Taipei,Taiwan

9. Oahu,Hawaii

10. Taipei,Taiwan

10. Cebu,Japan

Malaysia

Malaysians continue to favor traveling within theregion to celebrate Lunar New Year. In 2019,domestic destinations take up eight out of the top ten destinations. Thailand remains the only overseas destination in the top ten list for Malaysian travelers over the period.

2017

2018

2019

1. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

1.Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

1. Hat Yai,Thailand

2. Malacca,Malaysia

2. Malacca,Malaysia

2. Bangkok,Thailand

3.Penang,Malaysia

3. Penang,Malaysia

3. Malacca,Malaysia

4. Johor Bahru,Thailand

4. Penang,Malaysia

5. Bangkok,Thailand

5. Hat Yai,Thailand

5. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

6. Ipoh,Malaysia

6. Langkawi,Malaysia

7.Langkawi,Malaysia

7. Ipoh,Malaysia

7. Langkawi,Malaysia

8. Port Dickson,Malaysia

9.Cameron Highlands,Malaysia

9. Cameron Highlands,Malaysia

9. Kota Kinabalu,Malaysia

10. Kota Kinabalu,Malaysia

10. Johor Bahru,Malaysia

Singapore

Singaporeans prefer to travel to neighboring regions to spend the short Lunar New Year public holidays. For the first time,staycations have emerged as a popular choice for those who prefer staying behind to celebrate the festival.

2017

2018

2019

1. Batam Island,Indonesia

1. Batam Island,Indonesia

1. Bangkok,Thailand

2. Johor Bahru,Thailand

2. Batam Island,Indonesia

3. Bangkok,Thailand

3. Johor Bahru,Malaysia

3. Johor Bahru,Malaysia

4. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

4. Tokyo,Japan

5. Malacca,Malaysia

5. Malacca,Malaysia

5. Singapore

6. Bali,Indonesia

6. Bali,Indonesia

6. Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

7. Tokyo,Japan

7. Tokyo,Japan

7. Taipei,Taiwan

8. Phuket,Thailand

8. Taipei,Taiwan

8. Malacca,Malaysia

9. Bintan Island,Indonesia

9. Phuket,Thailand

9. Bali,Indonesia

10. Taipei,Taiwan

10. Bintan Island,Indonesia

10. Khao Yai,Thailand

Taiwan

Taiwanese are traveling within theregion to spend Chinese New Year,with Kaohsiung rising up to clinch the top position. For the first time in three years,Kyoto has slipped out of the top ten ranking.

2017

2018

2019

1. Tokyo,Japan

1. Tokyo,Japan

1. Kaohsiung,Taiwan

2. Taipei,Taiwan

2. Taichung,Taiwan

3. Taichung,Taiwan

3. Kaohsiung,Taiwan

3. Taipei,Taiwan

4. Kaohsiung,Taiwan

4. Taichung,Taiwan

4. Tokyo,Japan

5. Osaka,Japan

5. Tainan,Taiwan

6. Tainan,South Korea

6. Hualien,Taiwan

7. Seoul,South Korea

7. Tainan,Taiwan

7. Taitung,Taiwan

8. Kyoto,Japan

8. Okinawa Main island,Japan

8. Yilan,Taiwan

9. Hualien,Taiwan

9. Kyoto,Japan

9. Okinawa Main island,Japan

10. Yilan,Taiwan

10. Bangkok,Thailand

10. Chiayi,Taiwan

Where to go:

The Lunar New Year is indeed a golden opportunity for new beginnings. Whether you're looking to unite the extended family in a rare annual gathering overseas or escape from inquisitive relatives by traveling solo,Agoda has four unique travel ideas to kickstart the year with abundance:

Heading away with the entire family

Amanpuri in Phuketis a holistic sanctuary inspired by Ayutthaya,the old capital of Thailand. Perfect for big groups and extended families,the property offers the nine-bedroom Ocean Villa. Parents with young children can also take a break and treat themselves to spa services and or spend time at an adults-only pool on the beach,as babysitting services can be provided on request.

Looking for fabulous food

In Singapore,you must not miss the "lo hei" (prosperity toss). Family and friends huddle around a Cantonese-style raw fish salad and toss its contents in the air while saying auspicious greetings. It is believed that the higher the tossing,the more fortune one would have for the new year. Those looking to impress their family members can consider Jade restaurant at The Fullerton Hotelwith its Special Piggy Edition Gold Rush Yu Sheng complete with edible gold leaf or switch things up at Carlton Hotel Singapore'swhere Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant offers a unique take of the well-loved dish with Alaskan crab.

If you want to escape from it all…

For the solo travelers who are looking to get away from the crowds and have a peaceful respite,head over to Taiwan. Pamper yourself with a luxurious stay at Fleur De Chine Hoteland wake up to breathtaking views of Sun Moon Lake. Fill your days with visit to nearby scenic spots such as Lalu Island,Wenwu Temple,Chaowu Pier,Songbolun Trail,Cien Pagoda,and many more. An alternative is the Radium Kagaya International Hotel,a haven of rest and relaxation that is just steps away from the city's numerous attractions such as Beitou Hot Spring.

If you wantto have an adventure…

A good place for adventure and nature is the beautiful city of Pokhara in Nepal. Hikers of all levels can try the Ghorepani Poon hill trekking. Those seeking a chilly but thrilling experience must not miss trying out hang-gliding,which is sure to get the adrenaline pumping.

Raniban Retreatis a unique boutique hotel seated on the secluded hillock of Raniban Hill Forest in Pokhara. It takes 522 steps to get up to the hotel,but the view at the top is unrivalled. Guests will be greeted with the view of the Himalayas,Fewa Lake,The Pokhara city and the World Peace Pagoda against the backdrop of an amazing sunrise and sunset.

Notes to editors

Agoda booking data from origin markets across Asia was collated for the 2017,2018 and 2019 Lunar New Year dates.

About Agoda

Agoda is one of the world's fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005,Agoda has grown to offer a global network of 2 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide,offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels,apartments,homes and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.

Headquartered in Singapore,Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 3,700 staff across 53 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.

For more information,please contact press@agoda.com

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