2018 Holiday Travel Craze: Where to Go Each Month for the Best Value

▲2018 Holiday Travel Craze: These Countries Offer the Best Value for Group Tours (Photo provided by Tripresso, same below)

Text & Photo / Tripresso

Holiday Travel Craze: Data analysis from travel e-commerce platformTripressoshows that travelers have been trending toward booking group tours earlier for holiday trips. Especially among family travelers, the average time for tour bookings has moved up compared to previous years—most start inquiring about tour availability 4 to 6 months in advance to secure spots early. In the future, group tour slots during holidays will become even harder to get. If you're planning an overseas trip during the 2018 holidays, you definitely need to start planning much earlier!

So which countries offer the best value for money during the 2018 holidays? Or if you can’t take holiday leave at all and only have fixed vacation days for traveling abroad while wanting to save on tour costs, where should you go for the best deal? Leveraging the advantages of big data, Tripresso analyzes trends to show you which countries offer the most cost-effective group tours during China’s national holidays and across all 12 months of 2018!

These 12 Months in 2018: Choose the Right Time to Travel for the Best Value!

▲Croatia.

Best Value in January: Croatia & Okinawa

This country is great to visit all year round, with different scenery in each season. In January, during winter, the lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park freeze over, creating spectacular icy landscapes that are truly breathtaking. If you love snowy scenes, winter in Plitvice will be incredibly satisfying—you can enjoy amazing photo opportunities and take advantage of major holiday discounts at local shops for some serious retail therapy!

As for Okinawa, many people assume there's not much to do in winter, but actually, you can still have a fantastic time. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit winter attraction, and soaking in an onsen is also a great choice during the colder months!

▲Turkey.

Best Value in February: Turkey

Turkey was the hottest travel destination in 2018—and the trend started in 2017 and continued into 2018. February is winter in Turkey, the off-season. Aside from the colder weather, which means bundling up, popular attractions like Cappadocia hot air balloons, Pamukkale, and Troy are all fully operational in winter. If you want an affordable Turkey trip, booking a February tour is the way to go!

▲Iceland.

Best Value in March: Iceland

Iceland is perfect for travelers who love winter. Glacier hiking and snowmobiling are thrilling experiences, and the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in winter are higher than in other seasons!

▲Hokkaido.

Best Value in April: Hokkaido, Japan

Aside from popular spots like Hakodate’s night view, Otaru, and Hokkaido’s hot springs, although the 2018 cherry blossom forecast hasn’t been released yet, there’s a high chance you can see cherry blossoms in Hokkaido in mid-April. Travelers planning a Hokkaido trip can keep an eye on the bloom schedule and aim to go in April to save nearly half the cost.

▲Hong Kong & Macau.

Best Value in May: Hong Kong & Macau

For short-trip shopping paradise lovers, it’s time for a quick getaway and some serious shopping in the second half of the year. In May 2018, Hong Kong and Macau offer the best value for group tours.

▲Northeast Japan.

Best Value in June: Northeast Japan

Are you a Japan enthusiast? This ultra-popular region, trending since 2017, is one you absolutely can’t miss. If you love mountains, water, and hidden gems, you’ll fall in love with the northeast. Top recommended spots in the region include Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada.

▲New Zealand.

Best Value in July: New Zealand

July marks New Zealand’s winter. For long-haul destinations in colder seasons, it’s usually the off-peak period, making tour packages more affordable. If you’re a budget traveler eager to explore faraway countries and aren’t too bothered by the chill, consider heading there in the winter off-season to save money. Highly recommended pure New Zealand itineraries include glacier ecology on both the North and South Islands, and the glowworm lake tour at Te Anau.

▲Kansai, Japan.

Where to go for the best value in August: Kansai, Japan

Surprise—during the summer holidays, there are actually areas in Japan where tour prices drop. With the growing trend of outbound travel among Chinese tourists, competition among major travel agencies during winter and summer vacations has intensified, offering more options for comparing itineraries and prices. If you’re planning a trip to Japan during the 2018 summer holiday, keep an eye on the August tour price trends in Kansai and snag a spot early.

▲Palau.

Where to go for the best value in September: Palau

With its rich marine ecology, diverse coral reefs, and jellyfish lakes, Palau boasts must-see beautiful attractions. If you love island getaways and have time off in September for an overseas trip, consider Palau.

▲Australia.

Where to go for the best value in October: Australia & Canada

Surprise—October is actually the most cost-effective time to visit Australia. This is great news for travelers looking to escape the cold. As Australia’s tourism trend booms, the warm October in the Southern Hemisphere sees high competitiveness during the 2017 peak season, with significant price drops. Want to vacation on the Gold Coast? Or hug a koala in Australia? Choose October 2018 to set off for Australia.

Canada travel also delivered another huge surprise in 2017’s group tours. Known as the "Kingdom of Maple Leaves," Canada saw a significant drop in airfare prices in 2017 compared to previous years, thanks to Air Canada’s return to the Taiwanese market. Additionally, the Korean drama "Goblin" filmed scenes there, boosting Canada’s popularity in Taiwan’s travel market. In 2017’s group tour market, Canada ranked as the second biggest country in terms of overall tour price drops. Travelers interested in Canada’s fall foliage should keep an eye on the October 2018 itineraries for next year.

▲France.

Where to go for the best value in November: Greece & France

Greece was the country with the biggest tour price drops in 2017. Following the popularity of the Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun" starring the Song-Song couple, Greece’s tourism trend surged in Taiwan. Compared to other European countries, Greece offers great value in the cold winter off-season. November in Greece falls in autumn, with pleasant temperatures—making it a high-CP-value time to go. If you’ve been dreaming of Greece’s Aegean Sea, consider departing in November.

France’s tour prices have dropped dramatically for two consecutive years. Every Taiwanese person has a dream of visiting France. As Taiwan’s group travel market in Europe expands, travel agencies offer more itinerary options. Moreover, on April 16, 2018, Air France will resume its Paris route—a fantastic piece of news for travelers. There will be more flight choices to France. Look forward to next year’s French itineraries. Tour prices for France from various agencies will be even more competitive and affordable. Want to go to France? Then be sure to check out the November tour prices early.

▲Czech Republic.

Where to go for the best value in December: Czech Republic & Kanto, Japan
Winter in Prague, Czech Republic, is covered in snow, exuding an absolutely stunning and romantic atmosphere. It’s said that just one visit will leave a lifelong impression.

Among December tour prices across various regions in 2017, the Kanto area of Japan saw the biggest drops. If you want to relax during the year-end, starting your trip from Tokyo is the way to go. The streets of Tokyo in December are filled with romantic Christmas decorations, creating a dreamy festive atmosphere. Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s in Tokyo in 2018.