Travel might be on pause in these unprecedented times, but data from Booking.com reveals that this hasn’t stopped people across the country from dreaming about its possibilities.
Delving into the millions of travel wish lists created by hopeful travelers on its platform over the last two months, with properties wish-listed across over 100,000 different destinations since the start of March, Booking.com shares the top destinations and properties on peoples’ minds as they wait for when the time is right to travel again.
Delving into the millions of travel wish lists created by hopeful travelers on its platform over the last two months, with properties wish-listed across over 100,000 different destinations since the start of March, Booking.com shares the top destinations and properties on peoples’ minds as they wait for when the time is right to travel again.
While international destinations like Bali, Andalusia, London, Florida and Paris continue to inspire travel dreams for people across the world, it’s no surprise that in-country stays feature in over half (51%) of all those wish-listed globally during this time of uncertainty, a jump from the same time last year when domestic properties accounted for a third (33%) of those wish-listed. In Thailand this was similar with the share of domestic wish-listings by travelers up to 72%, whilst in 2019 that figure stood at 54%.
Since the start of March, the top wish-listed domestic destinations for Thais are Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Ko Chang and Jomtien Beach, suggesting that dynamic and rich-in-culture city and beach escapism are at the forefront of travel imaginations after weeks of confinement. Endorsements left for these destinations by past Thai travelers on Booking.com suggests that their share appeal lies in night markets, choices of food, and outdoor activities from snorkeling to horse riding, indicating perhaps the experiences that Thais are most excited to embrace again.
When it comes to international adventures featuring most heavily in Thai travel dreams, it’s a similar picture with all-time popular city among Thais taking centre stage alongside major Asian cities and some European cities.
Since the start of March, the top wish-listed domestic destinations for Thais are Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Ko Chang and Jomtien Beach, suggesting that dynamic and rich-in-culture city and beach escapism are at the forefront of travel imaginations after weeks of confinement. Endorsements left for these destinations by past Thai travelers on Booking.com suggests that their share appeal lies in night markets, choices of food, and outdoor activities from snorkeling to horse riding, indicating perhaps the experiences that Thais are most excited to embrace again.
When it comes to international adventures featuring most heavily in Thai travel dreams, it’s a similar picture with all-time popular city among Thais taking centre stage alongside major Asian cities and some European cities.
Dreaming about a change in scenery and the opportunity to enjoy a stay experience outside of their own home, the most wish-listed types of places to stay for Thais are hotels, resorts, apartments, guest houses and hostels. Hotels account for 42% of all properties wish-listed by Thais over the last two months, slightly higher than the global average of 40%. Interestingly, Thai travelers dream of staying in resorts to a much larger extend than the average global traveler. While globally only 6% of whish-listed properties is a Resort, with Thai travelers this is 21%!
Three of the top wish-listed places to stay in Thailand include The Quarter Ari by UHG, Coral Tree Villa Huahin and The Yana Villas Hua Hin.
Michelle Gao, Regional Manager at Booking.com, said: “These are unprecedented and challenging times in which safety remains the top priority. We also know that in such times, dreaming about experiencing the world again has immense power to fire our imaginations and keep spirits high. It’s amazing to see the array of different travel experiences our customers have been busy dreaming about while they wait for the opportunity to travel again. Building a wish list on Booking.com is an inspirational way for everyone to start dreaming about travel again, and we are committed to making it easy for them to turn those dreams into reality when the time is right.”
Three of the top wish-listed places to stay in Thailand include The Quarter Ari by UHG, Coral Tree Villa Huahin and The Yana Villas Hua Hin.
Michelle Gao, Regional Manager at Booking.com, said: “These are unprecedented and challenging times in which safety remains the top priority. We also know that in such times, dreaming about experiencing the world again has immense power to fire our imaginations and keep spirits high. It’s amazing to see the array of different travel experiences our customers have been busy dreaming about while they wait for the opportunity to travel again. Building a wish list on Booking.com is an inspirational way for everyone to start dreaming about travel again, and we are committed to making it easy for them to turn those dreams into reality when the time is right.”
