Travel TrendsNew report signals that Asia Pacific’s travel boom is spreading beyond the traditional destinations.

Travellers tempted by less explored destinations

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Bhutan is gaining popularity with travellers seeking less explored destinations.
Bhutan is gaining popularity with travellers seeking less explored destinations. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Kinshuk

A deep dive into the extent of Asia Pacific’s travel boom  by Amadeus, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) World Tourism Organisation, has uncovered emerging opportunities in regional travel.

Among its findings, the report indicated that niche destinations are gaining traction.

Brunei and Bhutan stand out with 92% and 77% surges in search interest, respectively, highlighting travellers’ increasing curiosity for less explored destinations.

Among emerging markets, Macao (China), Indonesia, and Vietnam are among the fastest-growing outbound markets, with search growth ranging from 66% to 99% YoY, indicating expanding traveller interest in diverse destinations.

The report presents a detailed analysis of passenger traffic and capacity trends from March 2023 to February 2025 and provides a forecast extending to August 2025.

Notable growth rates include a 9.3% increase in air passenger volume and scheduled seats for Asia and the Pacific.

Other highlights of the report include:

  • Surging demand driven by China and India: Searches for travel from China to Asia and the Pacific skyrocketed by 235% year-over-year, while India maintains its leading position with a 13% increase in actual travel volume, emphasising its importance as a key source market.

  • Steady travel growth: Countries like Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia are experiencing over 30% YoY growth in inbound travellers, reflecting improved connectivity and targeted marketing strategies.

  • Destination growth in the region: Macao (55% YoY increase in bookings) and China (53%) demonstrate rising appeal, likely fuelled by easing travel restrictions and increased regional links. Additionally, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Indonesia are seeing double-digit booking growth, signalling diversification beyond traditional hotspots.

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