Taiwan emerges as most popular destination

Seen is Taipei's skyline at twilight. / Gettyimagesbank

By Jun Ji-hye

As the COVID-19 situation has improved in many countries, with some of their social distancing measures being lifted, the travel itch that has been subdued for months now grows even stronger.

Among a variety of tourist destinations around the world, Taiwan has emerged as the most popular searched destination for travel until the year-end, followed by Thailand and Japan, according to search data revealed by Agoda.

The Singapore-headquartered digital travel platform said the data was from 11 markets including Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam.

Taiwan topped the travel escape searches list among all different traveler groups from couples to solo travelers, family or group, beating last year's champion, Thailand.

Thailand was knocked into the second-most-searched destination ahead of Japan, Vietnam and South Korea in the top five.

The United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia completed the top 10.

Agoda's search data showed distinctions between destinations searched by type of traveler, with Japan and Thailand taking the second and third spots for solo travelers, while more family travelers searched for travel deals in Thailand ahead of Vietnam.

For travel groups, Vietnam vied for the second spot ahead of Thailand. This traveler category also searched for a more diverse range of destinations, including the Philippines and Israel, which did not feature in the top 10 for all travelers.

In 2019, there was a clear mix of international search destinations across the Asia-Pacific, but Taiwan is now receiving the bulk of searches, with fewer markets for international travel open due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The digital travel platform said Taiwan is a key destination in the second half of this year, dominating the list with seven of the most popular tourism spots in the top 10 ― Hualien, Yilan, Taipei, Kenting, Taitung, Nantou and Taichung.

This marked a dramatic change from last year, which featured a more diverse set of travel choices from across Asia.

Taiwan became the most-searched destination for travel until the year-end, followed by Thailand and Japan, according to search data revealed by Agoda. / Courtesy of Agoda

Most searched cities

Hualien, Yilan and Taipei were the most popular destinations searched for stays in the latter half of this year, with Hualien and Yilan appearing as newcomers in this year's top 10.

Bangkok and Tokyo, the top two most searched destinations during 2019, fell to the seventh and ninth spot, respectively.

The port city of Hualian was the most popular destination for all categories of travelers, except for solo travelers who opted for Tokyo.

Yilan which is known for its great natural landscape and local delicacies held the second-highest appeal to group and family travelers.

Other cities with abundant nature that are being considered by family travelers were Taitung on Taiwan's east coast, and Nantou where travelers can escape to the serenity of the Sun Moon Lake.

Couples are eyeing Taipei, while solo travelers, who favor big cities that offer plenty of culture and vibrant nightlife, are dreaming of going to Tokyo and Bangkok.

For couples, this year's destination wish list was led by Hualien, Taipei and Bangkok, followed by Yilan and Jeju Island ― last year's couple searches led with Bangkok, Tokyo, Pattaya, Bali and Taipei.

For families, this year's wish list was led by Taiwanese destinations Hualien, Taipei and Yilan, in the top five, with Bangkok and Jeju Island also taking a spot, compared to last year's Tokyo, Bangkok and Okinawa.

Group travelers have shifted their searches to countryside destinations of Hualian, Yilan, Nantou, Taitung and Kenting for travel in the remaining months of 2020, a shift from beach destinations like Batangas, Pattaya and Okinawa that featured as the top three searches in 2019.

Interestingly, for solo travelers, Tokyo, Bangkok and Taipei have held their spots firmly, emerging as the most-searched cities in both 2019 and 2020, with Hualian, Jeju Island and Okinawa making their debut this year.

Singapore, Bali and London, which were solo travelers' most-searched destinations in 2019, were missing from this year's wish list.

After spending some time with travel restrictions in place, travelers are shifting their travel searches away from well-known tourist destinations to lesser-known places, and moving away from cities towards nature and beaches.

“What Agoda's data is showing us is there is still a hunger to travel,” Agoda Vice President of Corporate Development Tim Hughes said. “People are enjoying exploring their own countries whether alone, with family or with friends, but most importantly, they still have hope that travel corridors will open later this year to some key markets where COVID-19 has been more contained, and are looking out for great deals for when they do.”