Is domestic travel booming while outbound trips slump during Chinese New Year? Japan and Southeast Asia top the list for holiday tours

▲This year, due to the shorter holiday, many people opted for theme park tours in Southeast Asia. (Photo provided by Legoland)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

Due to the shorter Lunar New Year holiday this year, coupled with changes in Taiwanese consumers' spending awareness and the impact of the economic climate, many people chose to travel domestically during the Spring Festival. Additionally, some consumers opted to book the 228 Holiday early, leading to more conservative sales performance for outbound travel packages compared to previous years.

After considering seasonal weather, trip duration, and pricing,Northeast Asia,Southeast Asiaremain the main focus for consumers this Spring Festival; other long-duration, high-cost travel products that require advance planning, such as those toEurope,the Americas, still cater to a more niche market. Travel to themainland, with its colder weather and cooler market, is also waiting for a spring rebound.

For the popular destination ofHong Kong, industry insiders report that this year’s sales were concentrated in the week before the Lunar New Year, bolstered by the holiday and shopping season. As a result, there’s still room in terms of pricing and sales on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Consumers looking to experience Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year festivities can still seize the opportunity, though prices after the second day of the New Year may be steep.

Additionally, Macau sees a surge in accommodation prices during the Lunar New Year, which also drives up overall costs. It’s advisable for consumers to consider Macau for post-holiday travel to enjoy more affordable rates.

Regarding Southeast Asia travel, this year’s purchases were affected by protests, natural disasters, and pirate incidents, which impacted demand inthe Philippines,Thailand. Under these pressures, destinations likeMalaysiaandSingapore, which emphasize “theme park tourism,” have performed more impressively. Compared to previous years’ New Year’s Eve travel peaks, this year’s travel rush was mainly before and after the holiday, showing a U-shaped distribution.

This year’s island routes... Palauremains stable, whileBoracaydue to supply and demand effects, currently has prices during off-peak periods that may dip below NT$20,000. Those who wish to enjoy sunshine and beaches might consider looking at Southeast Asia or island itineraries.

▲ Hokkaido, which saw prices soar to as high as NT$80,000 last year, has also seen prices stabilize.

South Koreasome prices remain similar to last year, with the majority priced between NT$25,000 and NT$35,000. However, as airlines have successively added routes such as Kaohsiung–Seoul and Kaohsiung–Busan, this has provided more options for residents in central and southern Taiwan. This year’s South Korea itineraries still focus mainly on winter activities, withSeoultourism currently seeing the best sales. Other destinations such asBusan,Jejustill offer purchasing opportunities. For K-pop and Korean culture fans, it is still worth keeping an eye on the market for potential deals.

As for the Lunar New YearHokkaidoitinerary, which previously rose to as high as NT$80,000, prices have also gradually become more affordable as market supply and demand stabilize.Japanroutes across the board, benefiting from ample flight options and consumer advantages across northern, central, and southern Taiwan, are offering relatively affordable product prices, leaving room for purchase. However, since Japan remains a key battleground during the Lunar New Year period, and with the consumption habits of younger travelers who prefer to “wait until the last minute” or “buy and go spontaneously,” whether there will be any breakthrough deals is likely to involve a psychological tug-of-war over pricing between travel agencies and consumers.

Due to convenience, visa-free entry in some areas, and other factors, Taiwanese consumers prefer to “hold out” until prices hit rock bottom before making a purchase. But in reality, some are willing to pay a premium for popular time slots and destinations,and not every travel itinerary necessarily has room for price cuts. Therefore, how consumers choose in these final few days will require careful consideration to ensure a pleasant overseas holiday for the Lunar New Year.