Traditionally one of the biggest annual travel periods for APAC travellers is during the Lunar New Year, but with most international borders closed, Filipinos are making the most out of the situation while exercising caution.

The oldest Chinatown in the world is in the Philippines and has fostered a huge Chinese community. Soon, Filipinos adopted some of their culture and traditions. According to booking data from Agoda.com, Filipinos, like those from the rest of the region, will be exploring domestic destinations to ring in the year of the Ox.

Below are the top five Lunar Year destinations in the Philippines for 2021.

Cebu

Tagaytay

Manila

Boracay

Baguio City

Filipinos are using the Lunar New Year for a quick escape—making the most of what’s available—both for destinations and accommodations. According to Agoda data, travellers are looking at 1 to 3.5-star hotels. There is also an upward trend in the search and bookings for Agoda Homes – non-hotel accommodation that offers more ‘home comfort’ facilities including kitchens and separate living and sleeping spaces.

Couples emerged as the top type of Filipino traveller that will be travelling during the Lunar New Year—strengthening the idea that Pinoys are keeping any travel within allowable parameters of government health and safety protocols.

“Just like the mythical Ox of the Chinese zodiac, the Asian traveller is proving their resilience and strength this Lunar New Year through their determination to get away and make the most of domestic travel opportunities.  In a change from non-COVID times, our data shows us that beach and countryside spots are more popular than capital city breaks and high energy destinations. People want to reward their hard work and resilience with upgraded stays in top-class areas, be it beach destinations, such as Boracay Island (the Philippines) or Phu Quoc (Vietnam), scenic mountains like Khao Yai (Thailand) and Chiayi (Taiwan), or historic cultural destinations like Xian (China),” said Timothy Hughes, vice president corporate development.