Agoda launches digital quarantine packages in Japan to facilitate safe return for repatriates

TOKYO,Dec. 27,2021 -- Agoda has launched Japan Alternative Quarantine (Japan AQ) packages to offer greater options for Japanese citizens returning home for holidays from 'high-risk' countries as COVID-19 continues to hinder free movement.

Japan AQ leverages Agoda's cutting-edge technology to improveaccessibility and make it more efficient for travellers looking to book accommodation for their return travel quarantine needs. From now,repatriatesand essential in-bound travellers can search availability,room type,and pricing in real-time from 112 hotels on a dedicated landing page https://www.agoda.com/quarantinejp,choosing specific hotel rooms that suit their needs,whether that's interconnecting rooms or suites or a familiar brand hotel. Japan is the sixth market to launch an AQ program (formerly known as Alternative State Quarantine ASQ),joining over 1,700 government-approved hotels worldwide in locations such as Hong Kong,Thailand,Indonesia,Taiwan and Philippines,with more to come.

Alternative Quarantine Japan

"An estimated 1.36 million Japanese citizens live abroad and have been unable to freely come home from almost two years,but with the launch of Japan AQ They will have the freedom to choose which hotel to stay in for their quarantine,making the decision to travel easier.It's likely that uncertainty will continue around border restrictions for some time as governments devise safe measures to help citizens and eventually tourists to return to Japan. It's no longer an easy option tohopon aplanewithout the need to considervaccine,quarantineortesting requirements but we hope giving travellers the choice to easily search and book where to stay will make travel as seamless and hassle-freeas possibleforconsumers across the world.",said Hiroto Ooka,Associate Vice President,North Asia,Partner Services.

Japanesetravellerswill gaingreater flexibility and autonomyto picktheir preferred quarantineaccommodation whether looking for a suite,room with a balcony or interconnecting rooms,atAgoda's great valuerates.Currently available on desktop,the productisslated to launch on mobile and app,with a dedicatedmicrosite,badging system to property listings,easy search filter options,banners,pop-ups and more in the coming weeks.

Agoda is the first digital travel platform in Asia to digitize quarantine hotel bookings in a bid to revive international travel safely. With differing and evolving requirements for quarantine across markets,Agoda's tech expertise and speed allows the platform to agilely adapt to these changes. Travelers can also visit https://www.agoda.com/traveladvisorto find out what travel restrictions are in place.

About Agoda

From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005,digital travel platform Agodahas grown to offer a global network of over 2.5 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. In 2019,Agoda added a flight product and packages to help make travel even easier.

Headquartered in Singapore,Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 4,000 staff in 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages.

For more information,please contact press@agoda.com