Skyscanner’s latest data analysis for January showcases a significant surge in searches, providing insights into the preferences of global travellers. From the bustling streets of Singapore to the scenic landscapes of Australia, the figures paint a picture of a few trends that are brewing in the Asia Pacific region.
Comparing the periods of December 26 to January 9 in 2023 and 2024, the statistics reveal a universal uptick in travel curiosity, with each country experiencing a surge in search activity.
- Singapore: A 13% increase in searches.
- South Korea: A substantial 42% surge in searches.
- India: A notable 39% rise in searches.
- Australia: An 8% increase in searches.
Taking a closer look at redirects, the period from January 2 to January 8 in 2023 compared to January 1 to January 7 in 2024 shows a consistent trend:
- Singapore: A significant 24% increase in redirects.
- South Korea: A commendable 17% rise in redirects.
- Australia: An impressive 28% surge in redirects.
This data underlines not only the interest in exploring various destinations but also the tangible action of users actively planning and redirecting their travel plans.
Based on a feature on Skyscanner’s platform, ‘Everywhere,’ emerged as the most-searched ‘destination’ in 2023. This feature allows users to explore all possible destination cities within a specific travel timeframe, showcasing flights in ascending order from the user’s chosen departure airport.
The popularity of ‘Everywhere’ suggests that travellers are not only open to diverse experiences but are actively seeking inspiration beyond traditional vacation spots.
Top destinations in 2024 so far based on Skyscanner’s top search destinations data (updated 9 Jan 2024) by travellers in the respective countries are:
Hugh Aitken, Skyscanner’s VP Strategic Relations and Development, shared his observations on the data:
“January is the peak booking time for many travelers, and across Skyscanner platforms, we are seeing some record-breaking numbers as we start the year. It’s clear that travelers are searching for inspiration and booking ahead for a mix of both leisure and VFR travel.”
Aitken emphasised the competitive landscape, stating, “Airlines and destinations will need to compete for this demand, and we are already seeing seat sales being put into the market to this effect. For example, we’ve seen numerous flash sales being organised by leading airlines, such as Jeju Air, HK Express, and Eastar Jet.”