Travel Insights Weekly

China remains the world's largest international travel source market by a wide margin; its international spend is more than $250 billion, about 1.4x the amount reported for international travel from the U.S. Mainland residents made 176 million border crossings in the first half of 2026, up 10.7% YoY. Only about 11% of China's population (more than 160 million people) currently holds a passport, leaving substantial room for continued growth. Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan drew the largest share of Chinese travelers in 2024 (30.0%), followed by Southeast Asia (14.7%), Northeast Asia (10.6%), North America (8.7%), Europe (6.7%), and Oceania (2.5%); Thailand alone received 3.5 million Chinese visitors in 2023.

Visa-free and visa-on-arrival access has expanded rapidly for Chinese passport holders with a 20% increase in the number of countries offering stays of 15 days or longer — a factor that industry voices cite as making Chinese travel agencies "more adventurous" in the destinations they now offer. South Korea has held the top spot in search interest since spring 2026, driven heavily by K-pop tourism to Seoul. For the October 1–7, 2026 National Day holiday, which many travelers extended to 13 days by combining it with Mid-Autumn Festival, Seoul was the top international destination with bookings up 91% YoY, and average trips ran longer than nine days.

China's Approved Destination Status (ADS) system (中国公民出境旅游目的地) in place since 1995, governs Chinese international travel to many destinations. Under ADS, only government-certified Chinese travel agencies may sell and organize package tours to countries with a bilateral ADS agreement, currently more than 120, and destination governments must issue a special ADS visa for those group tours. This is a government-to-government licensing system for organized group travel, not a blanket restriction: free/fully independent travelers (FIT), business travelers, and those visiting family are not bound by ADS, and can generally travel to non-ADS countries on their own.

Japanese residents took 14.73 million international trips in 2025, up 13.2% YoY. Through August 2026, departures reached 9.72 million, up 2.8% YoY, although July and August both declined, with August down 3.6% YoY to 1.59 million. A more modest 2.6% increase is expected for 2026 alongside a 4.5% rise in average spending per trip and a 7.4% increase in total outbound spending to ¥4.92 trillion ($31.2 billion). The deceleration in trip growth from 13.2% in 2025 to a 2.6% forecast in 2026, reflects the continued weakened yen — which fell to 40-year lows near ¥160/USD in July 2026 before recovering to about ¥153 in September — causing a shift toward shorter-haul Asian destinations and away from long-haul travel, even as rising costs across Asia keep per-trip spending climbing regardless of distance. Since July 1, 2026, Japan's departure tax has tripled from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per trip, while the 10-year passport fee for online applications was cut from ¥15,900 to ¥8,900.

South Korea remains the top destination for Japanese travelers by a wide margin with about 419K travelers in August 2026 alone, up 10.5% YoY, more than double the next-largest destination, the U.S., and travel to Taiwan coming in third. A rare five-day Silver Week holiday (September 19–23, 2026), the first in 11 years, shifted demand from summer into fall: travel agency HIS reported combined summer and Silver Week overseas bookings up 2.5% YoY even as summer bookings fell, with Seoul and Taipei the top Silver Week destinations and average prices up 12.0% on higher fuel surcharges. Budget-conscious travelers, particularly younger and student travelers, are concentrating on South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, where trips remain achievable on ¥30,000–50,000 ($190–$317) using discount carrier fares and hostel-level accommodation; Cebu, Philippines has also gained popularity specifically for combining budget English-language study with travel. Palau has also emerged as an emerging destination outside of this budget-travel pattern: United Airlines launched a new direct Narita–Palau route in October 2025, compared to prior routes requiring at least one layover.

"Why Japanese youth don't travel abroad" became a significant media conversation in 2026, reflecting a genuine structural question and not a fringe topic. The commonly cited factors have been: the weakened yen making international trips meaningfully more expensive relative to income for a generation with limited savings, wage growth has lagged inflation, and Japan's own improved domestic travel and dining scene — partly a byproduct of the inbound tourism boom itself — has reduced the relative appeal of going abroad.

South Korean international departures are projected to surpass 30 million for the first time in 2026 despite what coverage has been referring to as a "3-high" environment of elevated prices, exchange rates, and interest rates. Korean residents made 19.81 million international trips in January–August 2026, 98.7% of international trips during the same period in 2019; August 2026 departures rose 0.4% YoY to 2.43 million. More than 80% of South Korean international trips stay within Asia, reflecting a broader regional preference for shorter flights and lower total trip costs over long-haul travel to other regions. Travelers are also increasingly choosing smaller Japanese cities over Tokyo and Osaka. In China, Shanghai is specifically surging among travelers in their 20s and 30s as the least expensive major destination available to them.

The South Korean government maintains a legally enforced international travel system for its residents, not just advisories. Under the Passport Act, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs designates specific countries and regions as legally off-limits to Korean citizens without special exception permission and that list is subject to change. Unauthorized travel to those banned destinations is a criminal offense, punishable by up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to 10 million KRW (roughly $7,000+). North Korea is separately barred under the National Security Act.

Military service obligations also shape international travel for Korean men. Korean men become eligible for conscription at 18 and may travel freely without special permission through age 24. From age 25 onward, those who have not completed military service must obtain formal "overseas travel permission" before departing. Since May 3, 2026, short-term travel permits are capped at one month, down from six; failing to do so risks being registered as a draft evader, with consequences including passport and conscription-status restrictions through age 37 and employment or business-registration restrictions through age 40.

Taiwan's international travel market reached 14.53 million trips in January–August 2026, up 15.24% YoY, after breaking 10 million in the first half alone. Taiwanese travelers are among the region's most frequent flyers with an average of 2.45 trips abroad per year, ahead of Japan (2.26) and South Korea (2.30), and approaching Singapore (3.12) and Hong Kong (2.95). Asia accounted for 93.62% of all international trips in January–August 2026. Short-haul routes under 2,000 km account for 59% of flights, with an average flight time of about 3.7 hours versus a 4.63-hour global average.

Japan remains Taiwan's dominant top destination by a wide margin led by Tokyo as the single most popular city, with Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Nagoya also drawing strong demand. A weaker yen relative to pre-pandemic years continues to make Japan a comparatively good-value destination for travelers using New Taiwan dollars, and growth is increasingly decentralizing to secondary cities and islands — Fukuoka, Sapporo, Sendai, Ishigaki, and Miyako Island in particular — as charter and seasonal direct routes expand beyond Tokyo and Osaka. Trips to Japan reached 5.33 million in January–August 2026, up 18.76% YoY.

South Korea is Taiwan's fastest-growing major destination, up 33.68% YoY in January–August 2026 to capture 11.17% of the market. Within Southeast Asia, the picture is diverging sharply: Singapore is growing (+7.43%), while Myanmar (-40.82%) and Cambodia (-39.02%) declined sharply in January–August 2026, often attributed to unresolved scam-compound and personal-safety concerns undermining traveler trust in those two markets.

International travel from India reached 32.7 million departures in 2025, up 5.9% from 2024, fueled by a rising middle class, improved international air connectivity, and growing demand for both leisure and business travel, making India one of the fastest-growing outbound markets in the world alongside China. International travel spend from the country is governed by the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS), which sets an annual ceiling, currently $250,000 per financial year (about ₹2.4 crore), on the amount of money Indian residents can remit for overseas travel and other personal purposes; spending on a credit card while overseas does not count against the cap.

First-time international travelers from India's tier 2 (fast-growing urban centers) and tier 3 (smaller, developing markets) cities are the fastest-growing traveler segment; for reference, tier 1 cities include Mumbai and Delhi. These travelers tend to be price-sensitive, favor group tours and short-haul destinations, and rely heavily on Hindi and regional-language content and local travel agents rather than English-language platforms.

Current conflicts in the Middle East are redirecting Indian international travel eastward, away from both Europe and the Middle East itself. Search interest on MakeMyTrip, India's largest OTA (online travel agency) has risen specifically for Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka; similar gains have also been seen for the Philippines, Mauritius, and the Maldives. Rising European airfares, extreme summer heat, and flight-routing uncertainty tied to Middle East tensions pushed 2026 summer bookings toward Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Cambodia, and the Philippines. South Korea has implemented a tourism strategy specifically focused on travelers from India.

Air India temporarily reduced international capacity for summer 2026, citing continued airspace restrictions and record-high jet fuel prices. Several Asia-Pacific routes were affected: Delhi–Melbourne and Delhi–Sydney were both reduced from daily to four times weekly, frequencies to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi were also cut, and Delhi–Shanghai was temporarily suspended. The airline said it would continue operating more than 1,200 international flights per month overall and is offering re-accommodation, complimentary date changes, or full refunds on affected bookings. Air India began restoring most of the affected flights from September 1, 2026; Delhi–Shanghai has resumed and Delhi–Sydney has returned to daily service.

International travel from Indonesia reached 9.16 million trips in 2025, up 2.45% YoY; however, momentum has cooled in 2026, with January–August 2026 international trips down 3.56% YoY; August alone fell 6.02% YoY. This travel slowdown has been concentrated in mid-market packages priced between IDR (rupiah) 15 million and 30 million (about $845–$1,685), while premium tours above 30 million IDR ($1,685) continue to sell well and budget packages under 10 million IDR (under $560) have been holding steady; tour operators are adapting by shortening itineraries and building more unstructured free time into packages to help offset rising costs. A sharply weaker IDR is adding further pressure, having fallen past its 1998 Asian financial crisis low to record lows, trading near 17,900 per U.S. dollar in late September 2026.

Malaysia is Indonesia's dominant international destination driven by geographic proximity, affordable airfares, and cultural and culinary similarity. It's also a popular choice for shopping, medical tourism, and family holidays. Saudi Arabia’s popularity is driven substantially by Umrah pilgrimage travel and spikes higher around Ramadan and year-end holiday periods. Singapore draws Indonesian travelers with modern attractions, shopping, and strong flight connectivity.

A broader shift in how Indonesian travelers discover destinations is underway alongside the currency pressure. At a mid-2026 forum held jointly by 小红书 (RedNote) and the Singapore Tourism Board, executives described a rising pattern they call "blind box-style travel" — trips chosen through curiosity about authentic local culture and creator content rather than conventional travel agents or guidebooks, a shift concentrated among urban Gen Z and millennial travelers. Cross-border QRIS digital payments were cited as a further factor lowering friction for short-haul trips.

For top emerging destinations, South Asia is drawing rising interest as demand shifts toward experience-led journeys and lesser-known locations. India continues to draw leisure travelers for shopping — textiles, clothing, and jewelry — and Bollywood-location tourism, alongside a growing volume of incentive travel and Buddhist pilgrimage groups. Sri Lanka — Colombo, Kandy, Bentota — is a particular draw for high-end MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) groups; Bhutan currently leads within that group, with around 80% of clients booking luxury lodges combined with trekking and cultural excursions. Nepal's demand is driven by Himalayan mountain flights and helicopter sightseeing while Pakistan sees seasonal leisure interest tied to Hunza and Skardu. The Maldives continues to draw independently traveling couples. Limited air connectivity and hotel capacity, particularly in Bhutan during peak periods, remain as constraints on further growth.

Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Russia are emerging as new favorites among affluent Indonesian travelers seeking alternatives to established markets. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan both offer visa-free entry for Indonesian citizens and more tourism value: one operator offers private Kazakhstan trips from roughly 7 million IDR (about $390) for two travelers, including accommodation, breakfast, local transport, and attraction tickets. Russia is drawing attention for winter experiences: Murmansk aurora-borealis tours combined with husky rides and snowmobiling are a particular draw.

Singapore residents made 10.4 million overseas trips, by air and sea, in 2024 — nearly matching the 2019 pre-pandemic record of 10.7 million — and spent roughly $15.0 billion abroad (S$19.2 billion). In the 12-month period ending in June 2025, 84.1% of Singapore citizens took at least one trip abroad, there was an increase in travel spread across all age groups and, notably, larger among flat dwellers than private-property residents. Among those who traveled, the median number of overnight trips rose from 3 to 4 per year, and the share taking 6 or more trips annually grew from 22.8% to 33.5%. December remains the clear peak month for departures, with 1.3 million recorded in a typical December versus roughly 860,000 in an average month.

A strong Singapore dollar is acting as a tailwind for international spend, making overseas trips comparatively cheaper for residents versus those visiting the country. However, there is still cost pressure reshaping travel plans: 29% of Singaporeans cut back on international trips in 2025 due to financial pressure, 34% are expected to reduce trips in 2026, and 36% plan to trade down to more affordable destinations; off-peak travel and early booking, 49% respectively, are the two most common coping strategies. Nonetheless, 22% of Gen Z and millennial travelers said they traveled more than the year before.

While Japan remains the top destination by consideration, China posted the largest YoY gains in both consideration and positive impression; Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu are the most popular destination cities. Theme parks are a major draw, with Shanghai Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo DisneySea, and Hong Kong Disneyland all ranking among the top booked attractions. Other top destinations include Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand.

Cruising is increasingly an option for Singapore residents: cruise passenger throughput through the country crossed 2 million in 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels (1.8 million) for the first time. Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS), Singapore’s main cruise terminal, went through a S$40 million ($31.3 million) upgrade completed in October 2025; the daily passenger capacity has expanded from roughly 6,800 to 11,700 to accommodate year-round homeporting by Dream Cruises and, since March 2026, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Adventure, which offers sailings to nearby destinations including Malaysia and Vietnam.

Malaysia reported 66.6 million international trips in 2025, down from 70.2 million in 2024 (-5.13%), while still experiencing an increase in international spending to RM 61.4 billion ($15.01 billion) in 2025 from RM 57.9 billion ($14.16 billion) in 2024 (+6.04%). The Malaysian ringgit has been trading near multi-year highs allowing Malaysians to travel abroad at a more favorable exchange rate.

Current conflicts in West Asia (the Middle East) have measurably shifted booking behavior towards locations that are viewed as closer and safer, with Malaysians increasingly favoring ASEAN and other nearby destinations over longer-haul options. China, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia remain Malaysians' top international destinations for 2026, with Japan the clear favorite: Tokyo and Guangzhou bookings were both up 66% for summer 2026. For Chinese New Year 2026, there was double-digit growth in international flight bookings among Malaysians, with Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Guangzhou, Taipei, Bali, Osaka, Jakarta, and Hong Kong, being the top destinations, in that order; Macau is an emerging destination.

International travel from Thailand is projected to reach 11–12 million trips in 2026, flat YoY. The Thai baht (THB) appreciating more than 7% boosted Thai travelers' international spending power through 2025. Unfortunately, through mid 2026, the THB weakened, fading that currency tailwind.

China remains the top outbound destination for Thai travelers, with an estimated 2 million visits in 2025, followed by Japan, for its range of attractions and culture. South Korea is a consistent third and other top destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, and Switzerland. Typical Thai international trip length runs 3–5 days for short-haul destinations, extending to 5–7 days for longer holiday-period trips. Booking lead times are compressing with most travelers booking just 1–3 weeks ahead of departure, and last-minute bookings – under 7 days out – represent a growing share of the market.

Thai Gen Z travelers are increasingly booking independently rather than through group tours, favoring wellness-focused trips and 52% of Thai travelers say they book trips based on social media content.

International travel from Vietnam reached 6.7 million in 2025, up 26.4% from 2024. Momentum has since slowed: Vietnamese travelers made 2.7 million trips abroad in the first half of 2026, down 33.9% YoY, although the second quarter (1.5 million) was up 7.1%. Vietnamese international travel spending still exceeded $8 billion in the first half of 2026.

Vietnamese travelers are moving toward more personalized, purpose-driven trips even as familiar destinations remain popular. That willingness to spend for the right experience showed up clearly around Tet Nguyen Dan (Tet) 2026, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year, with nearby international packages to Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and China seeing larger price increases than domestic tours and premium tour packages selling out early despite the higher prices. Trips within Asia and nature-focused destinations are cited as an increasingly strong draw.

Vietnamese travelers' international search interest for summer 2026 pointed to a set of emerging destinations as well: Cebu, Philippines; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Fujikawaguchiko, Japan; Istanbul, Türkiye; and Barcelona, Spain. Those locations were the most-searched emerging international destinations for the season; Kaohsiung was specifically being promoted as a lower-key alternative to Taipei, with port views, night markets, and coastal cultural sites.

International travel from the Philippines reached about 4.16 million trips in the first half of 2026, up 9.45% YoY. Beyond destination choice, types of experiences are also shaping how Filipino travelers plan trips: Hong Kong Disneyland was the single most-booked international attraction in H1 2026, followed by Ocean Park Hong Kong, Universal Studios Singapore, and Universal Studios Japan. Travel agencies expect a fourth-quarter rebound as trips postponed in the second and third quarters are rebooked, with cruises, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan drawing growing interest.