NEW data from Airbnb shows the return and evolution of travel in Southeast Asia is presenting fresh opportunities for communities across the region. Nights booked across Southeast Asia on Airbnb doubled in 2022, up from 20201, according to new internal data from the platform. This is an encouraging sign of ongoing recovery in the region, as travel continues to climb back to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Thailand was the #1 most visited country on Airbnb in Southeast Asia in 2022, while top cities in the region included:
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Pattaya, Thailand
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Phuket, Thailand
The United States also ranked as the #1 country of origin for international Airbnb guests visiting the region in 2022, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea.
Intra-Southeast Asia travel remained popular with avid travelers visiting neighbouring countries close by. Notably, Singaporeans flocked to Airbnb to book their getaways, with Singapore-Malaysia emerging as the top intra-Southeast Asia travel route on Airbnb, followed by Singapore-Thailand and Singapore-Indonesia.
“We’re incredibly excited about the travel resurgence currently taking place across Southeast Asia - a region that has always been a popular for travelers the world over, with its tropical climate, delicious local cuisines, spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage," said Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb’s co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer.
Airbnb is continually innovating to help disperse travel beyond familiar destinations, so that more communities can benefit from the socio-economic opportunities that tourism offers.
Shifting travel trends across the region
Group travel is gaining momentum
With a big focus from many travelers on connecting, and reconnecting with loved ones, group travel in Southeast Asia more than tripled year-on-year in 2022. This comes as family travel on the platform increased 60% in 2022 globally compared to pre-pandemic, with more families booking Airbnb stays for their value and space.
Solo travel is on the rise
Solo travel in the region also grew by more than 2.6x, up from the year prior.
Travelers are staying for longer
Many travelers across the region are staying for longer and more deeply engaging with local communities. In 2022, long term stays of over 28 days in the region grew by more than 2.5x year-on-year.
Regional and domestic travel is back, in a big way
In a new YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb, data indicated that:
- More than 80% of Malaysians polled are optimistic about the travel rebound in Southeast Asia
- 91% of Malaysians believe that the travel resurgence will benefit local communities and the national economy
- Almost 4 in 10 Malaysians say they are excited to travel within Southeast Asia more frequently in the future, after not being able to for so long
The new YouGov survey also highlighted that half or more Malaysians polled believe that there is a need for:
- Accommodation options and tourism offerings that encourage longer stays
- A wide range of unique, value for money stays to attract travelers and differentiate their destinations
- Easy and affordable access to off-the-beaten-path places so those communities don’t miss out on tourist dollars
- Support for local tourism entrepreneurs
Ahead of major holidays and festivals throughout the region, there is strong travel momentum amongst Airbnb guests to travel within Southeast Asia. Guest searches for Songkran in Thailand increased more than 310% year-on-year, and guest searches for the March-April summer travel season in the Philippines surged almost 400%. This Ramadan, guest searches increased almost 600% in Malaysia, and over 500% in Indonesia. – The Vibes, April 18, 2023
