Multi-destination travel in Asia and the Pacific increases this Labor Day, Trip.com group data shows | News
According to data from Trip.com Group, multi-city travel in Asia Pacific grew 35% year-over-year during this Labor Day period. Several Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan, South Korea, parts of Southeast Asia and mainland China, celebrate Labor Day, driving strong cross-border and domestic travel flows through the region.
More than 30% of international trips now span multiple destinations, highlighting an ongoing shift towards more complex, itinerary-driven travel. This shift reflects a growing preference to maximize time and value with multiple destinations within one trip rather than one location.
Multi-destination trips are becoming a defining travel pattern
While single-destination trips still account for the majority of bookings, growth is increasingly driven by more complex itineraries. Multi-destination bookings are growing more than twice as fast as single-destination trips, reflecting stronger demand for flexibility and deeper discovery.
Travelers are increasingly structuring multi-city trips to maximize both time and value, with popular combinations such as:
Tokyo – Osaka – Kyoto (Japan)
Seoul – Busan (South Korea)
Bangkok – Phuket (Thailand)
These routes reflect a growing preference for multi-stop travel that combines urban experiences with leisure destinations.
Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid growth in multi-destination travel
Across Southeast Asia, demand for multi-destination travel is steadily rising, with strong growth in the key markets of Thailand: 52%, Malaysia: 40% and Singapore: 17%, according to data from Trip.com Group.
Key outbound destinations in Southeast Asian markets include Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), South Korea (Seoul), China (Shanghai, Beijing), Thailand (Bangkok), Indonesia (Bali).
In other parts of Asia, such as Hong Kong SAR, multi-destination travel also grew by more than 50% year-on-year, highlighting the growing preference for more complex itineraries over traditional single-destination trips, especially in well-connected urban markets.
In mainland China, domestic travel remains a strong base, while overseas travel is increasingly shaped by multi-destination routes, with more than 40% of outbound trips spanning multiple destinations and continuing to grow.
This suggests that travelers in this region are increasingly combining multiple cities within a single trip, supported by strong regional connectivity.
Japanese domestic travel momentum is increasing
Japan is also seeing shifts in domestic travel behavior, even as outbound demand continues to grow.
Domestic travel in Japan is growing rapidly, indicating increasing interest in travel within the country, accounting for a quarter of all flight bookings, and to cities such as Tokyo, Sapporo and Okinawa.
Travel within Asia dominates demand on Labor Day
The Labor Day holiday season continues to be defined by regional travel within the Asia Pacific, with travelers favoring destinations that offer easy access, diverse experiences and flexible itineraries.
The Group’s data highlights the continued strength of short-haul travel, supported by strong connectivity and shorter flight durations.
More broadly, the way people travel across Asia and the Pacific is evolving. Travelers are choosing more consciously about the way they plan their trip. While cross-border travel continues to take shape through multi-city routes, domestic travel remains a strong and stable part of the landscape. Together, these patterns point to a more flexible and value-conscious mindset as travelers look to make the most of both time and budget.
