Singapore’s tourism recovery is being bolstered by an increase in domestic travel bookings, making it among the fastest recovering destinations in Asia-Pacific since last year, according to a recent report by Tripadvisor.
Findings from Tripadvisor’s Seasonal Travel Index for Fall sheds light on where Singaporeans are travelling to this autumn as tourism markets continue their path to recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent Tripadvisor site data shows that globally, domestic travel for the fall season (September 1 to November 30, 2020) continues to gradually recover, with nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of all travellers planning domestic fall getaways. Of those travellers, 79 per cent of them are planning a September trip – the busiest fall travel month.
Outdoor adventures, which have gained popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, are continuing to interest travellers this fall. In fact, 45 per cent of Singaporean travellers are more likely to consider outdoor or nature trips and 37 per cent are more likely to consider road trips now, compared to before the pandemic.
When it comes to fall domestic bookings, Singapore leads the pack, with Tripadvisor seeing the number of users booking domestic travel on the platform increasing year-on-year. While outbound travel is still down year-on-year, domestic travel is recovering the quickest this season linked to searches for hotel bookings for local staycations.
Singaporean travellers surveyed indicated that making memories with family and friends, relaxation and enjoying nature were at the top of their list for their next trip.
In terms of hotel type, travellers’ tastes differ across the globe. While luxury hotels over-index for domestic travellers in the Americas, quaint hotels stand out in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Over in Asia-Pacific, green hotels are triumphing over the competition.
While long trips are ‘out’, last-minute travel is ‘in’. More travellers are looking for short getaways, with 55 per cent of fall travellers booking two- to five-night stays, and 36 per cent booking one-night stays. Fall travellers are also booking more near-term trips, often less than a week in advance.
Across the globe, safety remains critical. Some 68 per cent of global travellers say safety and cleanliness of establishments are important when travelling locally.
“Despite the disruptions that Covid-19 has brought upon travel this year, it’s heartening to see that 66 per cent of Singaporean travellers continue to express that travel is important to them, even if they can’t experience the world like they used to,” said Jane Lim, vice president for global markets at Tripadvisor.
“We’re seeing travellers booking staycations and weekend escapes locally, getting creative with their trips and exploring what’s around them where they can. This fall, we’re seeing a rising trend of travellers looking to relax and rejuvenate, as well as making memories with family and friends.”
Top Asia-Pacific destinations for fall 2020, based on year-over-year recovery are, in order, Broome, Australia; Puncak, Indonesia; Kuantan, Malaysia; Sentosa Island, Singapore; Port Dickson, Malaysia; Bandung, Indonesia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore, Singapore; Hamilton Island, Austalia; and Byron Bay, Australia.
Across the region, beach and outdoor destinations are gaining interest and jumping in rank year-over-year.
In light of the pandemic, the study also found that travellers are more budget-conscious – domestic travellers across the globe are searching for hotel stays less expensive than last year. While more travellers are viewing luxurious resorts and all-inclusive properties, campgrounds and farmhouses are recovering the fastest year-on-year and since last week.
Meanwhile, travelling with one’s pet is an amenity with promising signs of recovery, and supporting the outdoor trend, hiking is recovering faster than any other amenities offered by hotels across the world year-on-year.
