MANILA, Philippines — With the pandemic officially declared over and travel restrictions lifted, Pinoys are once again taking to the skies and traveling the world for revenge.
According to digital travel platform Agoda, many international travelers are heading to Singapore, which has emerged as Agoda’s top international destination for the Philippines in 2023.
Second on the list is Hong Kong, known as a traditional favorite of Pinoy travelers. There is a large Filipino community there.
The top five international destinations to the Philippines are Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo. This ranking clearly favors short-haul flights to nearby destinations, with all five destinations falling into that category.
Agoda’s booking data for popular international destinations around the world shows results that are not far off from the rankings of the Philippines.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, took the top spot, followed by Singapore, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur to round out the top five most popular destinations for international flights.
Popular international destinations by Agoda.
“Many factors contribute to Southeast Asia’s popularity.” [and East Asian] ,” said Andrew Smith, senior vice president of supply at Agoda. “These cities represent five bustling metropolises with rich culture and history, an exquisite culinary scene, and unique nightlife. Even as airlines expand their routes and fleets, Regardless, I wouldn’t be surprised if these great destinations continue to be top-ranked for years to come.”
When it comes to destinations within the Philippines, Manila remains at the top. Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro (Misamis Oriental), and Aklan (home to Boracay Island) rank second through fifth, respectively.
The data used for these lists is based on Agoda flight bookings made from January to June 2023.
Related: Top 10 places Filipinos want to visit in 2023