China, Japan, South Korea, And Vietnam Power A Massive Travel Rebound As Trip.com Reports Strong Cross-Border Surge Over May Labour Day Break

Written By: Sanjana Dubey

Sanjana Dubey

A passionate storyteller and emerging journalist, I am currently doing job while diving deep into the world of journalism. With two years of practical experience, I have cultivated a knack for transforming ideas into engaging narratives that captivate readers. My journey blends academic insight with real-world reporting, allowing me to explore culture, travel, and lifestyle through a creative and informed lens. Committed to delivering fresh, authentic, and impactful content, I strive to make every story not just read, but truly experienced.

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April 23, 2025 13:13 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

• Cross-Border Momentum Builds: Robust outbound travel recorded from China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam

• Surge in Multi-City Itineraries: Travel involving two or more destinations rises by sixty percent year-over-year

• Alternative Accommodations Boom: Triple-digit spike observed in non-traditional stays, especially favored in South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, and Thailand

The Labour Day holiday remains a prime travel window across the Asia-Pacific, as tourists from Japan, Vietnam, and mainland China take advantage of extended public breaks for both local and international escapes. At the same time, travellers from South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and Thailand are turning the occasion into an extended weekend by pairing the holiday with annual leave.

Asia Leads the Way as Travellers Embrace Nature-Inspired Stays and Unique Lodging Experiences

Asia-Pacific Embraces Regional Escapes, Alternative Stays, and Long-Haul Adventures This Labour Day

Regional Travel Surges as Holidaymakers Stay Closer to Home
Fresh booking data from Trip.com Group reveals a clear trend among Asia-Pacific travellers this Labour Day: a growing preference for short-haul and regional getaways. Destinations such as Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia top the list for cross-border travel. Across key markets, domestic tourism has nearly doubled, while international travel within the region continues to grow at a strong double-digit pace.

Alternative Lodging and Nature-Inspired Stays Gain Ground
More travellers are breaking away from conventional hotel stays, turning instead to apartments, villas, and boutique inns. In countries like South Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong SAR, these alternative accommodations have seen bookings surge by triple digits.
Nature remains the biggest draw—travellers are seeking immersive getaways in the heart of the outdoors. From lakeside lodges and mountain cabins to national parks and beachside villas, demand is booming. Japan, with its iconic hot springs, panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, and tranquil Hakone National Park, stands out as a top choice for nature-centric stays.
Coastal villas are particularly popular among travellers from mainland China, South Korea, and Japan—Bali, in particular, has seen a wave of bookings for scenic, beachfront properties.

Search Trends Reflect the Desire for Beauty and Serenity
Interest in nature-based and visually stunning travel spots has skyrocketed. Searches for picturesque escapes and Instagram-worthy destinations have soared by over 100%, as travellers look for peaceful retreats that offer both relaxation and visual appeal.

China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam Drive Cross-Border Momentum
The Labour Day holiday, which spans from May 1–5 in China and April 29–May 6 during Japan’s Golden Week, is fueling cross-border travel from Asia’s largest economies.
Chinese travellers are heading to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, while Japanese tourists are venturing to South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and the US.
South Korea and Vietnam are also seeing extended travel windows. Vietnam enjoys a five-day holiday from April 30 to May 4, while South Koreans can stretch their break to six days by pairing annual leave with public holidays.

Domestic travel in both countries is booming—Vietnam’s local bookings are up over 190%, and cross-border travel has increased by more than 150%. South Korea mirrors the trend with similar growth in both segments.

Multi-City Travel and Long-Haul Flights on the Rise
A growing number of travellers are crafting multi-destination itineraries. Compared to last year, bookings for trips spanning two or more cities have jumped by 60%.
Popular pairings include Chengdu and Chongqing for Malaysian travellers in China, Kyoto and Osaka for visitors from Hong Kong SAR, and Osaka-Tokyo combinations for Chinese tourists heading to Japan.
Long-haul flights—those exceeding six hours—are also gaining traction. South Korean long-haul travel has jumped by over 100%, while Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese bookings have seen strong double-digit growth.

Many of these travellers are coupling their long journeys with multi-city European tours. Japanese tourists are linking London and Barcelona; Chinese visitors are exploring both London and Edinburgh; and South Koreans are combining London and Paris for an iconic European escape.

Urban Vibes and Culinary Travel Fuel City Visits
Asia’s buzzing metropolises continue to attract the masses. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Bangkok, and Hong Kong SAR are high on the traveller radar for their blend of street culture, heritage, and local gastronomy.
Searches for culinary experiences are up by nearly 20%. Osaka and Tokyo lead the pack as top spots for food-focused travellers, drawn by Japan’s famed cuisine and diverse street food scenes.

Cultural Events Add to the Travel Buzz
Event-driven tourism is on the upswing this season. Japanese fans are attending domestic concerts—especially those featuring K-pop acts like Tomorrow X Together.
Travellers from mainland China are jetting to South Korea for HIPHOPPLAYA FESTIVAL 2025 and attending domestic events such as Beijing’s Strawberry Festival. Meanwhile, fans from Hong Kong SAR are flying to Tokyo to see Eason Chan perform during his FEAR and DREAMS World Tour.