Tripadvisor’s latest Seasonal Travel Index has found that rising costs are not putting a stop to Singaporeans travelling this summer, as 84% plan to have a holiday despite nearly three-quarters having major concerns about inflation.
The study uses a combination of search and sentiment data to reveal what is on the minds of Singaporean travellers ahead of the busy summer travel season and where they plan to go.
While inflation is a significant concern for the majority of Singaporeans, with 77% reporting that they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the rising costs of goods and services, travel remains a top priority. A staggering 84% of Singaporean respondents plan to travel this year – 39% more than last summer.
In fact, they are more than willing to make other sacrifices to ensure that they can afford it. Dining out (64%) and clothing purchases (62%) are top for the chop as Singaporeans make cuts to non-essential spending in order to fund their travel this year.
Despite tight finances, 76% of Singaporean respondents say that they are planning to spend at least the same or more on travel this summer. 42% say that they are planning to take shorter trips and 39% will book trips closer to home. Singaporeans opting for an overseas trip stands at 58%.
According to Tripadvisor site data, which analysed searches made by Singaporean travellers for travel over the mid-year school holiday months, London ranked number one on the destination list, with Paris at second place, then followed by Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Melbourne.
Tripadvisor’s Travel Index shows that even though 72% of Singaporeans think sustainable travel is more important than it was pre-pandemic, 45% have not yet spent more on sustainable travel. Despite 57% of Singaporean travellers worrying about their carbon footprint when planning their travels, 45% said they have done absolutely nothing to offset it.
A whopping 93% state that they practice some sustainable habits while travelling, including eating and shopping locally at destinations, and travelling closer to home. While they have not yet done it, 65% of Singaporeans travellers say they are open to spending more to travel sustainably in the future.
In addition to her leadership role at The Langham, Hong Kong, the Singapore native will have expanded operational oversight of all Langham and Cordis properties in Hong Kong and Asia, including properties under development.
He brings with him over 16 years of experience in hospitality, and will take on the responsibility for Hong Kong operations and provide strategic direction for shared services in Hong Kong.
Cebu Pacific (CEB) will restart international flights from Cebu, beginning with twice weekly services to South Korea (Incheon) from July 3, 2022.
Scheduled for every Thursday and Sunday, departure from Mactan Cebu International Airport will be at 12.25 and arrival will be at 18.10 at Seoul International Airport; the return flight will leave Seoul at 18.55 and arrive in Cebu at 22.50.
Xander Lao, CEB’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are very happy to restart this flight as we know passengers in the Visayas and Mindanao have been looking forward to travel internationally again, without needing to pass by Manila.”
The airline intends to expand its international network in the coming months, now that it has returned to pre-Covid domestic capacity.