What if your next travel destination is somewhere you have already seen on screen?
JENNIE fans now have the chance to experience exactly that as the coastal villa featured in her “Less Than a Lover” music video opens its doors for an exclusive stay on Airbnb. Set above sweeping coastal coves, the property combines cinematic scenery with the comforts of a luxury getaway, giving fans a chance to step into a setting they may recognize from the music video.
%20(3).jpg "Traveler’s Guide to Celebrating Thailand’s Festival of Lights (Loy Krathong)")
Thailand is set to sparkle this November as the country celebrates one of its most colourful and picturesque cultural festivals – Loy Krathong, also known as the Festival of Lights.
To celebrate the water goddess Phrae Mae Khongkha, millions of Thais float (loy) a little raft (krathong) commonly made from banana trunk and topped with flowers and candles. The krathongs carry the hopes, wishes, and gratitude of individuals, and represent the act of letting go of the old and ushering in the new.
Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide every year, on the night of the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. The festival takes place on 27 November this year, and is a special occasion for both Thais and travellers who flock to the country for this dazzling festival.
Thailand was the #1 most visited country on Airbnb in Southeast Asia last year, with Bangkok the most visited city in the country. This Loy Krathong, Airbnb has already seen a 17 percent surge in international guests searching for a stay in Thailand*. The most popular destinations during this festive period are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Koh Pha Ngan and Krabi.** Many are flocking to The Land of Smiles for the end of year holidays – Airbnb has seen approximately an 88 percent spike in searches by China travellers for November-December travel to Thailand, and an over 15 percent increase in searches by Australian guests in the same period.***
If you’re thinking about visiting Thailand this holiday season, make it one to remember and join the festivities! Read on for Airbnb’s recommendations of the best destinations and places to stay to experience Loy Krathong.
Renowned for its mountains and lush forests, Chiang Mai in Thailand’s north is home to the traditional Lanna culture. Loy Krathong celebrations are marked by large ceremonies and illuminated temples and are held at the same time as the Yee Peng festival, where Thais release thousands of paper lanterns (khom loi) into the night sky – making for a truly incredible sight.
Flowing through the heart of Chiang Mai province is the Ping River, a popular place amongst locals and visitors alike to float krathongs. Tha Phae Gate is another; located on the east side of the old city wall. The surrounding moat is a local favourite and popular gathering place, while Three Kings Monument in front of the old town hall has a lively atmosphere and attracts many to join in the activities.
You can’t leave Chiang Mai without trying the local delicacies, and there are many to choose from. Some must-tries are sai oua (a northern Thai sausage), nam ngiao (sour and spicy noodles with tomato soup), and the always popular khao soi (creamy coconut curry with crispy noodles).
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Thailand’s vibrant capital transforms every Loy Krathong, as the city embraces its cultural roots and traditions in a spectacle not to be missed. The main water artery of Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River, is a popular destination for visitors and locals to float krathongs and where you can join in the festivities against the backdrop of iconic landmarks such as Wat Arun. Alternatively, make your way to Wat Saket where you can enjoy a memorable Loy Krathong by one of Bangkok's oldest canals, Khlong Maha Nak, and explore the iconic Golden Mount nearby.
A short stroll from the Chao Phraya is the hip neighbourhood of Song Wat – recently voted one of the world’s 40 coolest neighbourhoods in 2023 by TimeOut – with an eclectic mix of art galleries and historical buildings to explore. While exploring Bangkok, don’t forget to try the city’s food offerings, from street food vendors offering Thai staples such as pad thai and pad krapow, to markets such as Jodd Fair and Michelin-starred eateries.
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%20(6).jpg "Traveler’s Guide to Celebrating Thailand’s Festival of Lights (Loy Krathong)")
There’s much more to Phuket than meets the eye. Famous for its beaches and islands, Phuket is steeped in history, and dotted with temples and shrines making for a unique Loy Krathong experience with an island-style vibe. There are more than 30 beaches where locals often float their krathongs. Alternatively, explore some of the less touristy and equally popular spots, such as Sapan Hin Lake and Suan Luang Park in Phuket Town, or Nai Harn Lake in the south or Bang-Ma-Ruan Lake in the north.
When in Phuket, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the freshest seafood caught daily from the Andaman Sea. Delicious Southern dishes to try include kaeng som (sour and spicy soup), massaman (a flavourful, slightly sweet Thai curry) and kaeng tai pla (an intensely spicy curry with fermented fish). And while enjoying island life, don’t forget to explore the history and Sino-Portuguese architecture in Phuket Town.
%20(5).jpg "Traveler’s Guide to Celebrating Thailand’s Festival of Lights (Loy Krathong)")
%20(4).jpg "Traveler’s Guide to Celebrating Thailand’s Festival of Lights (Loy Krathong)")
Searching for your perfect stay this Loy Krathong? Here are a selection of unique Airbnb stays where you can enjoy the sights and sounds:
New research from Oxford Economics found Airbnb is an important pillar of the Philippines’s tourism industry, with its activities contributing USD$840 million (45.7 million pesos) to Gross Domestic Product and supporting almost 103,800 jobs in the Philippines in 2022* alone.
The report, commissioned by Airbnb, found the platform played a crucial role in the Philippines tourism industry’s contribution to GDP and employment.
The report also highlighted the powerful multiplier effect Airbnb guest spending has within local communities. In 2022*, Airbnb guests spent a total of USD$876 million (47.7 million pesos) in the Philippines in areas like purchases in restaurants, retail stores, and on transportation.
It details the contribution made by Airbnb guests to domestic tourism across the nation. In 2022*, domestic Airbnb guest spending totalled USD$445 million (24.2 million pesos).
The report also explores two profound changes in travel behaviour since the pandemic: the dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements.
James Lambert, Director for Economic Consulting in Asia for Oxford Economics said, Airbnb has clearly played a major role in the resilience and rebirth of the Philippines travel and tourism sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Airbnb has been at the heart of some of the trends reshaping the nation’s travel and tourism industry, including the shift in travel away from cities and towards more rural communities, and the increase in demand for long-stay trips, exemplified by the live and work anywhere phenomenon", Lambert said.
Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan said, “The economic contribution to both GDP and jobs driven by travel on Airbnb in the Philippines has created powerful economic ripple effects that have enabled the growth of local businesses, such as shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes — which are often central to how travellers experience a destination — and created job opportunities for the locals.”
“The growth of the long-term stays segment since 2020 — enabled by flexible work policies and supported by Airbnb’s Live and Work Anywhere program — is helping destinations attract guests who stay longer and spend more per trip.
“Travel is now more dispersed, and so the economic benefits are being shared across more destinations, enabling a valuable economic contribution to rural and regional areas. This dispersal is being driven by Hosts on Airbnb and in turn creating economic opportunities for various communities.
“As destinations across the Philippines continue to recover, we are committed to partnering with governments and communities to rebuild their tourism economies in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.”
*This report presents results for the twelve month period up to and including March 2023, referred to as 2022*, which represents the first full year after the reopening of international travel. Prevailing exchange rates at the time of study were applied, using proprietary data from Oxford Economics.
So many people are creating their own version of Wes Anderson’s iconic symmetry and colour scheme on social media using the hashtag #wesanderson. The trend has amassed over 977M views. With his new film set to land in cinemas this month, Wes Anderson’s distinctive aesthetic is as popular as ever. This roundup of cinematic stays perfectly fits the vibe.
Thinking of where to stay on your next vacaction?
New data from Airbnb shows the return and evolution of travel in Southeast Asia is presenting fresh opportunities for communities across the region. Nights booked across Southeast Asia on Airbnb doubled in 2022, up from 2020, according to new internal data from the platform. This is an encouraging sign of ongoing recovery in the region, as travel continues to climb back to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
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| Photo by Erik Karits |
Thailand was the #1 most visited country on Airbnb in Southeast Asia in 20221, while top cities in the region included:
The United States also ranked as the #1 country of origin for international Airbnb guests visiting Southeast Asia in 2022, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea1.
Intra-Southeast Asia travel remained popular with avid travelers visiting neighboring countries close by. Notably, Singaporeans flocked to Airbnb to book their getaways, with Singapore-Malaysia emerging as the top intra-Southeast Asia travel route on Airbnb, followed by Singapore-Thailand and Singapore-Indonesia.
Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb’s co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, said: “We’re incredibly excited about the travel resurgence currently taking place across Southeast Asia - a region that has always been a popular for travelers the world over, with its tropical climate, delicious local cuisines, spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage. Airbnb is committed to partnering with local governments and communities to support the region’s travel renaissance in a way that allows local people to access the socio-economic benefits of travel. We’re also focused on relentlessly innovating to help disperse travel and encourage it to return in a way that’s responsible, creates human connection and is economically empowering for locals.”
Airbnb is continually innovating to help disperse travel beyond familiar destinations, so that more communities can benefit from the socio-economic opportunities that tourism offers. Airbnb’s flexible search tools, such as Flexible Dates, are already making a difference on this front, with guests booking through a Flexible Date search on the platform in key cities including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Metro Manila often more likely to book a stay outside popular areas in the city1.
In a new YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb, data indicated that:
The new YouGov survey also highlighted that over 60 percent of Filipinos surveyed said there is a need to ensure it is easy and affordable for travelers to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations in their country so that communities don't miss out on tourism spending. The survey also revealed that Filipinos believe there is a need for:
When asked what they believe added to the appeal of local destinations for international travelers, the top factor for Filipinos was hospitable locals who are willing to make guests feel welcome and point out hidden gems. More than half also identified other factors including:
Ahead of major holidays and festivals throughout the region, there is strong travel momentum amongst Airbnb guests to travel within Southeast Asia. Guest searches for the March-April summer travel season in the Philippines surged almost 400 percent and guest searches for Songkran in Thailand increased more than 310 percent year-on-year. This Ramadan, guest searches increased almost 600 percent in Malaysia, and over 500 percent in Indonesia.
Are you a fan of The Phantom of the Opera? Here's some exciting news for you! Guests can now spend the night in the stunning Parisian opera house that inspired the smash-hit musical for the first time. Palais Garnier is reopening its doors to provide a magnificent stay in the lavishly transformed Box of Honour.
What's more, the best part? The traditional Palais Garnier opera boxes have been fully restored to retain their 19th-century historical splendor, making this one-of-a-kind experience possible thanks to Airbnb's commitment to heritage tourism in Europe. So prepare to travel back in time and immerse yourself in the enchantment of one of the world's most famous operas.
Where to travel next this 2023? Airbnb shares awesome travel in destinations for 2013. No need to travel abroad, as the best places are already here in the Philippines. This can be a year of travel and staycation for the entire family or group of friends to enjoy the hottest destinations while staying in the Philippines' wonderful locations. Which travel destination should we try first?
This December, Airbnb is wrapping up the year with a bow by revealing its top destinations and Airbnb Categories of stays in 2022, and providing a sneak peek at what 2023 has in store.
In 2022, Pinoy guests on Airbnb found themselves most enjoying a tropical getaway, or relaxing by the poolside. The Tropical and Amazing Pools Categories of stays ranked top in terms of Filipinos’ most-booked homes, with outdoor categories including National Parks, Golf, Lake Houses, Beachfront and Surfing just close behind.*
2022 saw an unprecedented eagerness to travel, particularly as borders across the world began to reopen. Notably, the Philippines welcomed a significant influx of inbound tourists on Airbnb this year with Singaporeans topping the list. Latest data revealed that the top origin cities of guests visiting the Philippines in 2022 are Singapore, Seoul, Los Angeles, London and Sydney.**
Looking ahead to 2023, Pinoys are definitely hoping to put their passports to good use. According to Airbnb data, the top trending travel spots for international travel in 2023 among Filipino guests are Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea.
Still, domestic destinations also remain top of mind for Filipinos, with top trending domestic destinations in 2023 being Cebu City and Lapu Lapu City in Cebu, El Nido and Coron in Palawan, Baguio in the north, and Pasay and Mandaluyong in Metro Manila.***
As the holiday season rolls around, this presents a unique opportunity for Filipinos to take advantage of the travel surge and earn some additional income, and perhaps even pay for a trip to a trending destination.
Earlier this month, Airbnb made it even easier to Airbnb one’s home through its new Airbnb Setup featuring one-to-one guidance from an Airbnb Superhost, the opportunity to host an experienced guest as one’s first guest, as well as one-tap access to specially-trained Community support agents. Together with even more AirCover for Hosts, with tripled damage protection to USD3 million and expanded guest identity verification, among other top protections for both inside and outside your home, there’s no better time to become an Airbnb Host and share one’s home for the holidays.
All bookings included in this press release are intended to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not endorse or promote these listings or any other accommodations or experiences on the platform.
*Top Categories of 2022 (PH) nights booked by PH guests in any destination with check-in dates from May 11, 2022 thru September 30, 2022
**Top origin cities, states and countries, by nights stayed for PH travel by international guest with travel stays between January, 1 2022 thru September 30, 2022
***Top trending travel spots for 2023 travel by Filipinos, based on searches made in Q1-Q3 2022 for future 2023 check-ins
As the holiday season awaits and the travel rebound continues to unfold, more Filipino travelers are embracing flexible travel while more homeowners turn to hosting on Airbnb for additional income. A new survey commissioned by Airbnb* reveals that over half of Filipinos polled expressed interest in becoming Airbnb Hosts to take advantage of the new appetite for travel.
Around the world, Airbnb has seen strong growth rates of new Hosts, especially in countries with high inflation rates. Notably, 77 percent of Filipinos polled said they were looking for ways to offset rising costs of living. The survey also shows that desire for travel remains high, with over a quarter of respondents saying that they will continue to find ways to travel even if general costs of living rise.
In a trend that started since the pandemic, millions are now enjoying their newfound freedom to live and work anywhere. Notably, 65 percent of Filipinos polled said that they are now more flexible in terms of their type of holidays and time of travel. Notably, of those who plan to travel within the next year, 1 in 4 Filipinos said they plan to travel without set dates.
.jpeg "Hosting on Airbnb gains momentum in the Philippines")
This new approach to travel and living continues to shape the choice of accommodation among Filipino travellers. When asked about factors that influence when and how they travel:
This growing appetite for travel among Filipinos puts homeowners in a unique position to take advantage of the Airbnb Setup, the all-new easy way to Airbnb one’s home which was announced early this month. In Q3, Pasay ranked as the #1 trending domestic destination for Filipino guests on Airbnb, followed by El Nido, Cebu City, Paranaque, and Iloilo City.**
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said the fundamental shifts towards long-term stays and flexible travel point to the increasingly important role that short-term accommodations (STRA) like Airbnb play in the new era of travel.
“This growing appetite for travel is a positive sign as tourism recovery gathers pace. More keenly, this is an opportune moment for aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs to Airbnb their homes and earn additional income to mitigate rising living costs or support their travels,” he added.
* Online survey of 1063 respondents in the Philippines commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by YouGov between 6-12 October 2022
** Based on increase in searches of destinations (minimum 1,000) in Q3 2021
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