The Lunar New Year – this year honouring the Pig – arrives on February 5 and the celebrations will go on for at least a week for most Chinese. This is a time for reunions, feasting and just chilling with family and friends.
However, instead of staying home to celebrate there is a growing trend to welcome a new year in a foreign land – whether it is a family choosing to bond in an exotic destination, like my neighbours departing for Egypt tomorrow to have the reunion in the shadow of the Pyramids, or singles escaping from inquisitive relatives by travelling solo.
While long haul destinations are the lure for some, many Asian travellers still prefer to holiday within their own backyard with Bangkok, Tokyo and Taipei remaining the three most popular destinations.
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In revealing the 2019 top destinations for travellers during this most important festival on the Chinese calendar, digital travel platform Agoda said Osaka is not performing so well in the Year of the Pig, slipping from third spot in 2018 to sixth.
Taiwan is the flavour for the New Year, scooping three of the top 10 destinations, with capital Taipei in third, Kaohsiung fifth and Taichung seventh. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore also made it to the top 10 list.
The 10 cities in order of popularity, based on Agoda’s booking data, are Bangkok (Thailand) at #1 followed by Tokyo (Japan), Taipei (Taiwan), Hong Kong, Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Osaka (Japan), Taichung (Taiwan), Sapporo (Japan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore.
“Overall, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand will benefit most from travellers celebrating the Lunar New Year,” added Agoda.
The company added that the choice of these destinations is not surprising as food and leisure activities feature high in family bonding during the New Year holidays, and almost all the destinations are gourmet and retail paradise.
Here’s a look at the travel destinations by market.
China
The Lunar New Year is celebrated in many cities across Asia, but Chinese travellers enjoy the longest holiday. With a week off Chinese tourists are spending their time overseas in cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok.
Hong Kong
This year, Hong Kongers chose Japan, Thailand and Taiwan over the previously favoured Korea, which dropped out of the top three spot to fifth. Staycations have also risen in popularity, and Hong Kong made its way into the top 10 this year as well.
Indonesia
Indonesians are venturing further this year to celebrate the festival, with Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo taking up two out of three of its top travel destinations. Japan is rising in popularity, as Sapporo with its winter wonderland make it into the top 10 destinations for Indonesians.
Japan
Agoda data shows domestic travel dominates the travel agenda for Japanese travellers this year, clinching six out of 10 spots in the list. Thailand continues to be a hot spot for those seeking a tropical celebration, and Hawaii makes its entry into the top 10 list for the first time.
Malaysia
Malaysians continue to favour travelling domestically with eight out of the top 10 destinations within the country. Thailand remains the only overseas destination for them.
Singapore
Singaporeans prefer to travel to neighbouring countries to spend the short New Year public holidays. For the first time, staycations have emerged as a popular choice for those who prefer staying home to celebrate the festival.
Taiwan
Taiwanese are travelling within the region to spend the holidays, with Kaohsiung rising to clinch the top position. For the first time in three years, Kyoto has slipped out of the top 10 ranking.
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