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Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Long Weekend Stays Driving Asian Travelers to Regional Destinations According to Agoda
Hoteliers advised to take advantage of additional public holidays to maximize occupancy and revenue SINGAPORE, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia's diverse and regular stream of public holidays is proving to be a boost to the Asia Pacific (APAC) travel industry as Asian tourists look to maximize their leisure time. Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Asian travelers looking to travel long weekends are largely opting to stay in the APAC region, highlighting an opportunity for hoteliers to capture rising demand for more frequent, short stays. Agoda saw an 80% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore ahead of the Eid long weekend. Favored destinations were Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea and Taiwan. There was a similar trend during the Songkran long weekend in Thailand - with Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai and Seoul proving to be top choices. The recent long weekend in Vietnam, which encompassed Liberation Day and Labor Day, saw Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul being the most searched destinations. "The opportunity for hotels and airlines to secure bookings and incentivize travelers to extend their trips and add ancillary items to boost revenue over long weekends has never been greater," said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply, Agoda. "Hotels should ensure they are using the right data to target the hottest consumers from across the Asia Pacific region and ensure that their service offerings are tailored to their regional tastes. For example, catering for visitors with large families by ensuring they are able to access larger and joined rooms for family travel." There are still multiple long weekends to come in the region in 2025 including: MALAYSIA PHILIPPINES SINGAPORE TAIWAN THAILAND • Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday (Jun 2) • Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) (Jun 27) • Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Sept 5) • Deepavali (Oct 20) • National Heroes Day (Aug 25) • Deepavali (Oct 20) • Mid-Autumn Festival (Oct 6) • Bridge Holiday to Queen Suthida's Birthday (Jun 2) • Queen Suthida's Birthday (Jun 3) • Khao Phansa Day (Jul 11) • King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday (Jul 28) • Bridge Holiday to Queen Mother's Birthday (Aug 11) • Queen Mother's Birthday (Aug 12) • Passing of His Majesty the Late King (Oct 13) • His Majesty the Late King's Birthday (Dec 5) By proactively offering packages that cater to long weekend stays and micro-vacations, hotels can capitalize on these trends. Some strategies include: Focus on Content Marketing: Publish blog posts or guides about "Top Things to Do in [Your City] Over the Long Weekend." Highlight local events, hidden gems, and places that are within easy reach. Use SEO best practices to ensure content ranks for relevant long weekend searches. Launch long Weekend and "maxi-break" packages: Partner with travel platforms like Agoda and loyalty platforms to promote extended stay offers such as "Stay 4 Nights, Pay for 3". This aligns with the growing trend of consumers turning public holidays into mini vacations. Push Ancillary items that help guests maximize shorter trips: Include value-adds like late check-out, complimentary breakfast, or tickets to local attractions. Design wellness and immersive local packages - With Asia's wellness tourism market projected to hit USD 156.85 billion this year, hoteliers can attract high-value guests by offering digital detox retreats, spa-and-stay bundles, and locally sourced culinary experiences that can be enjoyed over a three day stay. Agoda offers a wide range of options to suit these preferences. With over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda provides endless possibilities for creating unforgettable travel experiences. --- ENDS --- View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Agoda Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Skift
3 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Skift IDEA Awards Deadline Extended to June 30 Due to Overwhelming Demand
The Skift IDEA Awards deadline has been extended to June 30 due to overwhelming demand and high interest from across the travel industry. This gives entrants two extra weeks to submit their most innovative work for recognition. Due to unprecedented interest and a surge in submissions, the deadline for the 2025 Skift IDEA Awards has officially been extended by two weeks. Entrants now have until June 30 to submit their work for consideration. The Skift IDEA Awards celebrate the most impactful and innovative design, experiences, and initiatives across the global travel industry. From trailblazing campaigns and transformative sustainability projects to cutting-edge digital experiences and creative hospitality concepts, the awards aim to spotlight the visionaries shaping the future of travel. New Deadline: Monday, June 30 The deadline extension comes in direct response to overwhelming demand from companies and creatives around the world requesting more time to finalize their entries. With submissions arriving from every corner of the travel landscape—airlines, hotels, tourism boards, experience providers, short-term rentals and more—this year is on track to be our most competitive and inspiring yet. If you've been considering submitting your work but needed more time to polish your presentation or gather final materials, this is your moment. The Skift editorial and judging teams are eager to see the innovation, imagination, and impact you've brought to the industry. Still unsure which category to apply for? Take our easy quiz to guide you to the best fit. We encourage all organizations, agencies, and individuals working in the travel ecosystem to take advantage of this additional window. This is your chance to gain global recognition and be celebrated as a changemaker at the forefront of travel's evolution. For submission guidelines, past winners, and judging criteria, visit:
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
John Lovell will leave Travel Leaders Network for Virgin Voyages
John Lovell will leave Travel Leaders Network to take on a leadership role with Virgin Voyages. Lindsay Pearlman will assume his role of president. John Lovell Lovell has been with Travel Leaders parent Internova Travel Group since 2002, holding several leadership roles. According to Internova, Lovell will depart at the end of June. In a message to partners, Lovell confirmed his new role with Virgin Voyages. "This was not an easy decision," Lovell wrote. "Travel Leaders Network has been my home for more than 20 years, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together and grateful for the relationships we've built." Travel Leaders Network has nearly $20 billion in annual sales, Lovell said. At Virgin Voyages, Lovell will be a board member and senior advisor, the cruise line said in a release. In his new role, Lovell will shape commercial strategy, work to advance distribution capabilities and strengthen advisor programs, Virgin said. He will report to CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu. "Landing a leader like John Lovell is a monumental, defining moment for Virgin Voyages," Saverimuttu said. "When someone with his reputation, experience and a $20 billion portfolio chooses to join your team, it's a powerful signal that you're building something extraordinary." Saverimuttu added that Lovell will help deepen the cruise line's relationships with travel advisors. Internova CEO J.D. O'Hara wished Lovell success in his new endeavor. "John's commitment to supporting travel advisors and agencies has been key to solidifying our role as an industry leader," O'Hara said. "His legacy of compassion and service will continue to inspire us." During his tenure at Internova, Lovell founded the Family Bonds Foundation, Internova's charitable arm. Pearlman, currently Travel Leaders Network's senior vice president and COO, will head the network. He's been with Internova since 2019, first working with international partners then managing relationships with associate members. Before coming to Internova, Pearlman was co-president of Ensemble Travel Group and held executive roles at American Express.
Skift
4 days ago
- Business
- Skift
How to Enter the Skift IDEA Awards in Under 90 Minutes
Great ideas deserve industry recognition. Enter the Skift IDEA Awards now, then use the extra time to elevate your submission before the deadline. If entering the Skift IDEA Awards has been sitting on your to-do list, consider this your sign. It doesn't need to take all day. You can put together a clear, compelling entry in under 90 minutes. The best part? You can go back and edit your submission anytime before the final deadline. Here's how to get it done fast and smart. Why Enter the Skift IDEA Awards Now Skift IDEA Awards spotlight the best creative, strategic, and forward-thinking work in travel. That includes marketing campaigns, product innovations, experience design, and more. If your team built something you're proud of, this is the place to showcase it. Submitting now gives you time to polish before the final cut-off. It's not about perfection. It's about showing thoughtful, effective work that moves the industry forward. How to Complete Your Entry in Under 90 Minutes Use this simple five-step plan to move quickly and still put your best work forward. 1. Get Set Up (10 to 15 Minutes) Log in to the submission platform Review the official entry guide (PDF) Gather your key materials: a few visuals, basic performance data, maybe a short quote or testimonial You don't need everything at once. You can upload or update files later. 2. Choose Your Category (10 to 15 Minutes) Pick the category that fits your project's core focus. If you're unsure, try the Category Quiz to help make the call. When in doubt, choose the category where your story is strongest. Don't forget you can always enter more than one category to boost your chances of making it to the finals. 3. Write the Main Entry (40 Minutes) Answer these three questions clearly: What was the goal? How did you make it happen? What was the impact? Use short paragraphs or bullet points. Focus on results. 4. Add Key Proof Points (15 to 20 Minutes) Upload whatever you have ready: A few screenshots or images A single stat that highlights success A quote from a client, partner, or internal team member Don't overthink this. You can always log back in to upload new files or rewrite sections. 5. Submit Now, Edit Later This is the most important part. Once you hit 'submit,' you're in, but you can continue editing your entry until the final deadline. That means you can: Rewrite your text Add or change visuals Update your stats Submitting early gives you space to improve. Waiting until the last minute locks you into whatever you wrote under pressure. You've Already Done the Work. Now Share It. The best Skift IDEA Awards entries are focused. One clear idea, well-executed, with real results. It's not about how big the brand is; it's about how thoughtful and effective the work was. You don't need a full day. Just set aside 90 minutes, tell the story, and hit submit. Also, check out our handy 'How to Enter guide' for some more insider tips from the team. You'll be able to refine it later. What matters now is starting.
TTG
4 days ago
- Business
- TTG
Great Little Escapes ceases trading as Atol holder prompting CAA advisory to agents
The CAA is standing by to deal with agent queries after Great Little Escapes ceased trading as an Atol holder late last week. The company, based in Sandhurst, ceased being an Atol holder on 13 June. It held the brands Your Holidays, Great Little Escapes, Tunisia First and websites and It is a wholly separate company and brand to Great Little Breaks. The CAA said: 'If you are a travel agent of Great Little Escapes and you are currently holding consumer payments which you have not yet paid to Great Little Escapes, you must not use these funds to refund consumers until you have received instructions from the Air Travel Trust.' It added: 'Travel agents will be individually contacted by the CAA with specific instructions for these bookings.' The authority also told agents not to submit fresh claims while waiting for more information 'as these will be rejected'. Great Little Escapes specialises in city breaks, while Your Holidays has a diverse portfolio, ranging from hen and stag parties, LGBT holidays and packages for bridge players. Its latest financials show the company lost nearly £77,000 last year and recorded a deficit of £186,000 in 2023. Details of its latest Atol were unavailable from the CAA on Monday. The Great Little Escapes website currently redirects to The website carries the Advantage Travel Partnership logo and states it is "part of the Advantage Travel Partnership". TTG has contacted Advantage for comment. The group's Facebook page has been inactive since October 2023, while activity has paused on several of its other social media pages. Its Your Holidays brand was continuing to post almost daily to Facebook until Wednesday (11 June). Previous Article The agent getting her face out there – on the side of the local car wash, plus 8 other TTNG conference tips Next Article 'This is how I go the extra mile for my clients – I go with them on holiday'
