A steady stream of public holidays across Asia is fueling short-stay travel and creating new opportunities for the region’s hospitality sector, according to new insights from Agoda. The digital travel platform has recorded sharp month-on-month spikes in accommodation searches during key long weekends, pointing to growing demand for regional getaways.
“Long weekends are proving to be a powerful driver of travel across Asia-Pacific,” said Andrew Smith, Agoda’s Senior Vice President of Supply. “The opportunity for hotels and airlines to secure bookings and encourage extended stays with added experiences has never been greater.”
Ahead of the Hari Raya holiday, Agoda reported an 80% month-on-month increase in hotel searches from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, with top destinations including Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Similar surges were observed around Thailand’s Songkran festival and Vietnam’s Liberation and Labour Day weekend, with cities such as Hong Kong, Osaka, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul topping the charts in search volume.
The pattern is expected to continue throughout 2025. Countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand still have several long weekends ahead, including:
August 25: National Heroes Day (Philippines)
October 6: Mid-Autumn Festival (Singapore)
October 20: Deepavali (Malaysia)
June & July: Queen Suthida’s and King Vajiralongkorn’s birthdays (Thailand)
These holidays offer hotels a prime opportunity to attract regional guests seeking quick escapes.
Hotel Strategies for Capturing Demand
To make the most of this trend, Agoda recommends that hospitality providers:
Align marketing campaigns with regional holiday calendars
Launch packages tailored to weekenders and short-stay travelers
Highlight nearby attractions, dining, and cultural experiences
Offer add-ons like late check-out, attraction tickets, and spa services
Partner with travel platforms for extended-stay or bundled deals
With wellness tourism also on the rise, curated experiences like spa retreats, local cuisine tastings, and short cultural tours can help hotels stand out and attract high-value guests.
