agoda reveals the most popular Easter weekend destinations for Asia-Pacific travelers. Other destinations such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have dipped in popularity, dropping from 1st and 4th place in 2016 to 5th and 8th place in 2018, respectively.
BANGKOK – Tokyo steals the top spot for most popular Easter travel destinations among Asia-Pacific travelers in 2018, a title held by Manila last year, according to global online booking platform agoda.
Tokyo has increased in popularity in recent years, having moved up from 7th place in 2016 to 1st place this year. Easter typically falls within Japan’s renown Sakura (cherry blossom) season, which runs from late March to mid-April. Coupled with Easter-themed celebrations in some of Tokyo’s most popular amusement parks, Easter egg hunts and other pop-up events, the city has a lot of seasonal attractions to offer visitors traveling Easter weekend.
Manila, which takes third place this year, is consistently popular with Asia-Pacific travelers, remaining in the top three spots year on year. With the largest Christian population in Asia-Pacific, the Philippines observes public holidays the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday. There is no shortage of religious and seasonal events, from street festivals to special Church services, making Manila a top destination for travelers celebrating Easter.
Other destinations such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have dipped in popularity, dropping from 1st and 4th place in 2016 to 5th and 8th place in 2018, respectively. Bali, which dipped to 6th place last year, has reclaimed its top five spot this year at 4th place.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 1. Singapore | 1. Manila, Philippines | 1. Tokyo, Japan |
| 2. Manila, Philippines | 2. Bangkok, Thailand | 2. Bangkok, Thailand |
| 3. Bangkok, Thailand | 3. Singapore | 3. Manila, Philippines |
| 4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 4. Bali, Indonesia |
| 5. Bali, Indonesia | 5. Tokyo, Japan | 5. Singapore |
| 6. Cebu, Philippines | 6. Bali, Indonesia | 6. Seoul, South Korea |
| 7. Hong Kong | 7. Hong Kong | 7. Taipei, Taiwan |
| 8. Tokyo, Japan | 8. Johor Bahru, Malaysia | 8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 9. Johor Bahru, Malaysia | 9. Cebu, Philippines | 9. Hong Kong |
| 10. Batam Island, Indonesia | 10. Seoul, South Korea | 10. Johor Bahru, Malaysia |
Top ten Easter weekend destinations for Asia-Pacific travelers
Australia
Bali has held the number one spot for Easter travel since 2016 and continues to be a popular holiday spot given families can travel overseas together inexpensively compared to other destinations. Bali has natural beauty, diverse outdoor activities, as well as bargain food and shopping options, so it’s no wonder why Bali has become a staple destination for many Aussies.
International travel for Easter is on the rise as more foreign destinations fill the top ten spots for Australian travelers. In 2016, six out of ten of the top Easter destinations were all within Australia; three years on, only three Aussie destinations remained. The most popular domestic destinations year on year are Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 1. Bali, Indonesia | 1. Bali, Indonesia | 1. Bali, Indonesia |
| 2. Sydney, Australia | 2. Sydney, Australia | 2. Tokyo, Japan |
| 3. Melbourne, Australia | 3. Melbourne, Australia | 3. Sydney, Australia |
| 4. Gold Coast, Australia | 4. Gold Coast, Australia | 4. Melbourne, Australia |
| 5. Bangkok, Thailand | 5. Bangkok, Thailand | 5. Bangkok, Thailand |
| 6. Singapore | 6. Tokyo, Japan | 6. Phuket, Thailand |
| 7. Brisbane, Australia | 7. Phuket, Thailand | 7. Singapore |
| 8. Perth, Australia | 8. Singapore | 8. Gold Coast, Australia |
| 9. Phuket, Thailand | 9. Brisbane, Australia | 9. Hong Kong |
| 10. Adelaide, Australia | 10. Pattaya, Thailand | 10. Pattaya, Thailand |
Top ten Easter weekend destinations for Australians
Philippines
Filipinos prefer to celebrate Easter closer to home with six out of ten of the top destinations this year all within the Philippines. Tokyo is the biggest hit for those who travel abroad and has been increasing in popularity year-on-year, moving up from 8th place in 2016 to 2nd in 2018.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 1. Manila, Philippines | 1. Manila, Philippines | 1. Manila, Philippines |
| 2. Cebu, Philippines | 2. Cebu, Philippines | 2. Tokyo, Japan |
| 3. Baguio, Philippines | 3. Boracay, Philippines | 3. Cebu, Philippines |
| 4. Boracay, Philippines | 4. Palawan, Philippines | 4. Boracay, Philippines |
| 5. Hong Kong | 5. Tokyo, Japan | 5. Taipei, Taiwan |
| 6. Batangas, Philippines | 6. Hong Kong | 6. Seoul, South Korea |
| 7. Palawan, Philippines | 7. Seoul, South Korea | 7. Palawan, Philippines |
| 8. Subic, Philippines | 8. Baguio, Philippines | 8. Hong Kong |
| 9. Tokyo, Japan | 9. Bohol, Philippines | 9. Batangas, Philippines |
| 10. Tagaytay, Philippines | 10. Subic, Philippines | 10. Baguio, Philippines |
Top ten Easter weekend destinations for Filipinos
Singapore
The top destination for Singaporeans traveling Easter weekend is Bangkok, which has remained in the top two since 2016. Tokyo is also an increasingly popular destination, moving up from 8th place in 2016 to 4th this year. Both Bangkok and Tokyo offer luxury shopping, hotel and dining, which are popular travel experiences among Singaporeans.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 1. Singapore | 1. Bangkok, Thailand | 1. Bangkok, Thailand |
| 2. Bangkok, Thailand | 2. Singapore | 2. Johor Bahru, Malaysia |
| 3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 3. Batam Island, Indonesia |
| 4. Johor Bahru, Malaysia | 4. Johor Bahru, Malaysia | 4. Tokyo, Japan |
| 5. Batam Island, Indonesia | 5. Batam Island, Indonesia | 5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 6. Malacca, Malaysia | 6. Malacca, Malaysia | 6. Singapore |
| 7. Taipei, Taiwan | 7. Taipei, Taiwan | 7. Seoul, South Korea |
| 8. Tokyo, Japan | 8. Tokyo, Japan | 8. Malacca, Malaysia |
| 9. Hong Kong | 9. Seoul, South Korea | 9. Taipei, Taiwan |
| 10. Bali, Indonesia | 10. Hong Kong | 10. Hong Kong |
Top ten Easter weekend destinations for Singaporeans
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
