Recent internal data from Airbnb reveals a noticeable upward trend in the travel industry across Southeast Asia. In 2022, there was a more than twofold increase in the number of nights booked on Airbnb’s platform compared to 2020. Though not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, these figures indicate a positive sign for the region’s ongoing recovery.
Airbnb’s data also shows that small group travel among family members and cousins is on the rise, as travelers increasingly view trips as opportunities to reconnect with loved ones. Group travel in the region more than tripled year on year in 2022, while family travel via Airbnb surged by 60% compared to pre-pandemic times. This is likely due to families seeking more value and space in their accommodations.
Furthermore, solo travel is gaining popularity, with a 2.6 times increase in lone travelers throughout Southeast Asia in the past year. Additionally, many visitors are choosing to stay longer, immersing themselves in local communities. Airbnb’s data reveals a more than 2.5 times year-on-year boost in long-term stays (over 28 days) in 2022. This aligns with Trip.com’s 2023 travel trend report, which found that Chinese tourists visiting Southeast Asia, including Thailand, are opting for longer stays to genuinely engage with local communities.
These emerging travel trends offer valuable insights for Airbnb, driving the company to invest more in innovation, enhance platform accessibility, and support local entrepreneurs. In a bid to cater to guests’ changing preferences, Airbnb suggests property owners offer family-friendly amenities, more personalized experiences, and easy access to off-the-beaten-path destinations. Other factors that appeal to guests include a diverse range of food and culture and budget-friendly accommodation options.
Airbnb and YouGov conducted an online survey of 4,186 respondents from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand between March 15-22. The survey found that 80-92% of respondents are optimistic about Southeast Asia’s travel recovery, and 84-96% believe that tourism revitalization will benefit both local communities and their country’s economy. A significant portion of respondents (35%) also expressed excitement to travel more frequently within the region in the future.
Southeast Asia’s appeal as a popular tourist destination, characterized by its tropical climate, mouth-watering local cuisine, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural heritage, continues to grow. Guest searches on Airbnb for Songkran in Thailand increased by more than 310% year on year, while searches for the March-April summer travel season in the Philippines soared nearly 400%. During Ramadan, guest searches in Malaysia and Indonesia rose by almost 600% and 500%, respectively.
Airbnb is enthusiastic about the current travel resurgence in Southeast Asia and remains devoted to collaborating with local governments and communities. The aim is to support the region’s travel renaissance in a way that generates socioeconomic benefits for residents. Since its founding in 2007, Airbnb now boasts over 4 million hosts and has welcomed 1.4 billion guests from countries worldwide.
[…] 77. Airbnb saw over a 310% surge in Songkran searches in Thailand and a 400% increase in searches for the March-April summer travel season in the Philippines. (source) […]