Trip.com Reveals Demand for Travel to Asia-Pacific Destinations

Ask some LGBTQ+ travelers and they’ll tell you that a few Asia-Pacific countries are on their bucket list, including Thailand and Japan, known for Tokyo’s emerging LGBTQ+-friendly Shinjuku District. Asia-Pacific destinations have been a magnet for tourists over the years. They are incredibly diverse and culturally rich, with many incredible sights to explore. Before the pandemic, the Asia-Pacific tourism sector was thriving, attracting visitors from around the world year after year.

The volume of inbound travelers is expected to grow throughout 2023 and 2024, rising by 94% compared to the previous year, according to Statista. Regarding tourism growth throughout APAC, Trip.com data analyzes the booking trends to popular destination spots, including Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, and has consistently had high search figures for this region.

Japan has consistently been ranked among the top five destinations globally in terms of Trip.com bookings and search volumes since entry restrictions were eased in Q4 2022. According to Trip.com data, global hotel bookings for arrivals between March 15 and June 30 increased by 237% year over year. Global flight bookings also increased by 317% (from 2022 to 2023) for travelers during the same period. The most popular European flight routes were from London to Tokyo and Paris to Tokyo.

The best time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka is between March-April for cherry blossom season in Japan, to witness the world-famous flowers bloom in top tourist spots. Japan’s unique blend of fascinating culture, incredible landscapes, and delicious food makes for a sought-after destination for travelers. According to Trip.com data, the top three cities visited in Japan were Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Osaka, known for famous landmarks such as Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Dotonbori, and Tennoji Park, is part of a long list of must-visit landmarks. The ancient city of Kyoto was the traditional home of the Japanese royal family, drawing tourists with its rich history and stunning architecture.

South Korea has also been a popular Asia-Pacific destination, too! According to the new Trip.com data, flight bookings from Europe (UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany) increased by 456% year-on-year (2022-2023) for arrivals during the same period. The most popular flight routes were from London to Seoul, followed by Paris to Seoul. 

The capital, Seoul, is the most popular visited city boasting jaw-dropping skyscrapers and grand palaces and offering a mix of ancient landmarks and attractions of historical and cultural significance. The Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the finest examples of classic Korean architecture, destroyed and rebuilt several times since 1395. Although a conservative country, South Korea is trending toward equality and openness, so most gay South Koreans are still discreet and or still in the closet. Homosexuality is legal and if you want to hang out in a gay bar or club, you’ll need to visit the city’s Itaewon neighborhood, also known as “Homo Hill.” 

Jeju Island is the second most popular destination, also favored among locals. One of Netflix’s biggest K-dramas, Our Blues brought international recognition to the volcanic island, with its windswept coastline and mountainous horizons. Seogwipo on the south side of Jeju Island is for tourists wanting a more relaxing trip, with its volcanic coastline famous for its sea views and scuba diving.

Following China’s decision to reopen borders in December 2022, Hong Kong – which has a growing and politically engaged LGBTQ+ community – was one of the cities which led the surge as one of the top five tourist destinations for outbound visitors from mainland China. Trip.com data shows that the most popular attractions within Hong Kong for its customers include Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360 – a cable car experience across the rolling green hills – and The Jurassic Dinosaur Adventure Park. 

Trip.com data shows global hotel bookings for arrivals between 15 March to 30 June increased year-on-year by 13% from 2022 to 2023). Flight bookings from Europe (UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany) increased by a huge margin of 1,362% year-on-year from 2022 to 2023, for arrivals between 15 March to 30 June. The most popular flight route was from the UK – Hong Kong, followed by Germany – Hong Kong, and the top five destinations for tourists were mainland China, Singapore, the UK, America, and Canada.

Over time, the Asia-Pacific region has transformed into a major travel hub for all types of tourists. The past decade has also experienced a dramatic increase in domestic and international tourist arrivals, and the region has gained a reputation as an in-trend destination for its attractions and natural landscapes.