Digital travel platform Agoda reports that Asia’s diverse and regular stream of public holidays is proving to be a boost to the Asia Pacific (APAC) travel industry as Asian tourists look to maximize their leisure time.

According to Agoda’s latest report, Asian travelers are largely opting for long weekend trips within the APAC region, indicating a growing demand for short stays among hotels.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President for Supply, stated that now presents a pivotal opportunity for hotels and airlines to secure bookings and encourage travelers to extend their trips, thereby enhancing revenue.

Smith remarked:

“Hotels should ensure they are using the right data to target the hottest consumers from across the Asia Pacific region and ensure that their service offerings are tailored to their regional tastes. For example, catering for visitors with large families by ensuring they can access larger and joined rooms for family travel.”

Long weekends are for traveling

Agoda noted an 80% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore ahead of the Eid long weekend, with favored destinations including Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Similar trends were observed during the Songkran long weekend in Thailand, with Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai, and Seoul emerging as favorite choices. Most recently, during Vietnam’s Liberation and Labour Day long weekend, destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul topped the list of searches.

Strategies for Hotels

To maximize these trends, hotels should consider the following strategies:

• Focus on Content Marketing: Create blog posts or guides for long weekends that highlight local events and attractions, ensuring SEO best practices are followed.
• Launch Long Weekend Packages: Collaborate with platforms like Agoda to promote special offers that cater to extended stays.
• Promote Ancillary Items: Provide value-added services like late check-out, complimentary breakfasts, or local attraction tickets.
• Offer Wellness Packages: With wellness tourism rapidly expanding, offering retreats and culinary experiences can attract high-value guests.