Singaporeans Favor Secondary Cities and Long-Distance Travel for Hari Raya Puasa: Trip.com Insights
Hari Raya Puasa, traditionally celebrated with gatherings of family and friends, is now a significant time encouraging international travel. According to Trip.com, international travel bookings by Singaporeans for this year’s Hari Raya Puasa season (March 29 to April 6, 2025) increased by over 60% compared to the previous year (April 6 to 14, 2024). The latest insights from Trip.com booking data show that Singaporeans are increasingly opting for secondary cities and more distant destinations, as well as theme park attractions for their longer trips during Hari Raya.
“Hari Raya Puasa is a cherished festive season, where family, community, and faith take precedence over other pursuits. As Singaporeans increasingly prioritize travel with their families during this special season, they also approach travel with greater intent, blending meaningful reunions with a desire to explore newer destinations,” said Edmund Ong, General Manager, Trip.com Singapore.
“As traveller preferences become more varied, Trip.com focuses on making travel discovery, planning, and booking easier for our users by leveraging our cutting-edge technology and Trip.Best lists, enabling travellers to enjoy their journeys and appreciate what truly matters.”
Growing Interest in Secondary Cities and Long-Distance Travel
While closer destinations like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur remain popular, there has been a notable rise in interest for secondary cities like Guangzhou and Osaka, which have both entered the top ten list of preferred destinations for Singaporeans during Hari Raya for the first time. Moreover, the demand for travel to places such as Chongqing, Chengdu, and Busan has more than doubled year-on-year, reflecting Singaporeans’ eagerness to explore less-traveled paths for new experiences.
| Top 10 International Destinations (Cities) for Singapore Travelers | International Destinations with the Biggest Growth in Travel Demand Among Singapore Travelers | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok | 1 |
| 2 | Kuala Lumpur | 2 |
| 3 | Seoul | 3 |
| 4 | Tokyo | 4 |
| 5 | Shanghai | 5 |
| 6 | Taipei | 6 |
| 7 | Manila | 7 |
| 8 | Hong Kong | 8 |
| 9 | Guangzhou* | 9 |
| 10 | Osaka* | 10 |
| *New addition to the top 10 list in 2025 | *Secondary cities |
In addition to the Asia Pacific region, Singaporeans are venturing further afield–booking travel to Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy, the UK, Canada, and Germany has more than tripled compared to last year. Several travelers even booked trips to Lima, Peru, marking it as the farthest destination for a Singaporean during this Hari Raya.
Longer Trips and Preference for Theme Parks
This year, travelers from Singapore are taking longer trips, with the average trip duration rising to 9.19 days from 8.38 days last year. Data from Trip.com revealed that Singaporean travelers increased spending on international flights and hotels by 5.9% during this period, suggesting a continued interest in securing value for their journeys.
Theme park attractions remain top favorites among Singaporean travelers, as four out of the five most popular experiences booked during this year’s Hari Raya are major theme parks in the Asia Pacific.
| Top 5 Attractions Among Singapore Travelers |
|---|
| 1 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| *Theme park attractions |
These findings highlight the evolving preferences of Singaporean travelers, with an increased taste for cultural, natural, and novel experiences during their international adventures.
