If you're anything like 80 percent of Asia-Pacific (APAC) travellers, you plan to travel as much or more than you did in 2024. Skyscanner's latest Horizons report reveals a real thirst among Asian globetrotters to explore the world – and they are increasingly looking at off-the-beaten-path destinations.
In its Horizons report, Skyscanner looked at searches conducted between January and June 2024 and compared it to an equivalent period in 2023. From there, it sussed out the top 10 trending destinations for APAC travellers, boasting the most tremendous increase in year-on-year searches – and there are some genuinely under-the-radar spots to put on your bucket list.
Topping the list is Dayong, a city in Hunan, China, that saw a whopping 852% year-on-year increase in searches on Skyscanner. It's the gateway to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, known for its natural marvels like Tianzi Mountain and Gold Whip Stream – and for inspiring the stunning landscapes in the Avatar movies. Second is Shillong, India with an 821% increase in year-on-year searches. Known as 'Scotland of the East', you can bet on rolling green fields, misty mountains, and magical waterfalls at this hill station in northeast India.
Other trending destinations are Sandakan, Malaysia, a gateway to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and more incredible wildlife around the Kinabatangan River; and Saga or Yonago, two low-key cities that offer all the richness of Japanese culture without the crowds in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Don't get us wrong—APAC travellers still love their big cities. Skyscanner also unveiled a list of the top 10 destinations (with the most searches overall), and it's dominated by familiar Asian destinations like Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Osaka, and Taipei. These are still fantastic places to book a flight to, with robust tourist infrastructure and plenty of sightseeing, shopping, and eating to do. Just manage your expectations before going and you'll be in for a fantastic time.
But if you're looking to experience something offbeat on your next holiday, then start making plans to Skyscanner's trending destinations for APAC travellers instead:
- Dayong, China
- Shillong, India
- Sandakan, Malaysia
- Shimla, India
- Saga, Japan
- Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Yonago, Japan
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Sihanoukville, Cambodia
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