Travellers across Asia Pacific are becoming more intentional about how they travel, with most preferring to adjust their plans rather than cancel trips when disruptions arise, according to Booking.com's inaugural Travel Happiness Index.
The research, based on responses from more than 10,000 travellers across 10 APAC markets, found travel continues to play an important role in wellbeing, despite concerns over inflation, extreme weather and geopolitical uncertainty.
Key findings include:
84% say travel helps them reset mentally and emotionally.
90% would rather adapt their travel plans than cancel when disruptions occur.
73% prioritise local food and meaningful experiences when planning trips.
67% choose travel dates or destinations based on deals.
62% would extend holidays to allow more time to rest and recharge.
46% feel more confident about being able to afford travel than before.
The study found travellers increasingly value simple experiences over packed itineraries. Enjoying natural scenery (35%), spending time with travel companions (28%) and good food and drinks (26%) ranked among the biggest contributors to trip satisfaction. Family holidays were also rated the most enjoyable by 59% of respondents.
While affordability remains important, travellers are also seeking better value. Around 35% said they choose holiday homes or apartments because they offer better value for money, while 29% said these accommodation types provide a more authentic local experience.
Extreme weather (35%), health and hygiene risks (34%), crime (34%), inflation (30%) and political instability (30%) remain key concerns.
However, most respondents said these factors would not stop them from travelling. Instead, many would switch to destinations with a similar feel (27%), postpone their trip (18%) or adjust travel dates or duration (17%).