Intra-Asian Travel Surge: 70% of Searches for Japan and 25% for Thailand Driven by Regional Travelers Ahead of Lunar New Year

As the Lunar New Year draws near, Agoda, the digital travel platform, has uncovered significant insights into regional travel trends during this festive period. According to their data, an overwhelming 70% of travel searches for Japan and over 25% of searches for Thailand originate within Asia. This spike in intra-Asian travel underscores the growing trend of regional tourism as people across the continent prepare to reunite with family, celebrate traditions, and enjoy vacation time during the Lunar New Year festivities.

In response to this surge in demand, Agoda is capitalizing on these travel trends by offering hotel partners a suite of flexible solutions that enhance visibility and drive bookings through its Agoda Mega Sale. The campaign serves as a powerful tool to help hotels capture the increased interest in travel, offering special deals and discounted rates at a time when regional travel is at its peak.

Regional Travel Surge During Lunar New Year

Agoda’s data highlights that the Lunar New Year period is a key travel moment for many Asian travelers, especially those traveling within the region. Among the most searched destinations during this time, Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka, and Seoul stand out as top choices. These cities are not just traditional travel hubs but are also seen as cultural epicenters where family reunions, community celebrations, and festive activities draw visitors from neighboring countries. For hotels and accommodation providers, this surge in demand represents a unique opportunity to engage with a regional audience actively seeking travel experiences.

The importance of catering to these regional travelers during the Lunar New Year period cannot be overstated. With families and groups of friends reuniting, travelers are increasingly turning to regional destinations for more affordable and accessible options. Agoda’s insights provide clear evidence that intra-Asian travel is a driving force during this seasonal boom, offering hotels a chance to tailor their offerings to a more localized audience.

Agoda Mega Sale: Empowering Hotels to Capture Seasonal Demand

To assist its partners in leveraging these seasonal trends, Agoda is running its Agoda Mega Sale from 10–28 February 2026, in alignment with Lunar New Year travel patterns. This campaign will feature up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with special flash sales offering up to 70% off on 17 February. Additionally, Agoda is offering VIP Priority Access for members from 10 to 13 February, ensuring that loyal customers can access deals early.

Agoda’s Mega Sale is structured in a three-phase campaign, designed to maximize partner participation and engagement. The structured format provides a flexible approach for hotels to integrate their offers into the campaign, helping them stand out during the Lunar New Year travel rush. This method also ensures that travelers can easily find and book the best regional deals for their desired destinations, driving higher conversion rates for Agoda’s hotel partners.

Maximizing Hotel Visibility with Targeted Campaign Features

For hotel partners, the Agoda Mega Sale offers more than just participation in discounted rates. Agoda is also providing a range of tools to enhance visibility across its platform, including homepage banners, campaign landing pages, pop-up banners, and exclusive badges for hotels that stand out. These features help hotels gain visibility when the travel demand is at its highest, ensuring that regional travelers can find and book accommodations with ease.

As Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda, points out, successful partners distinguish themselves by their ability to act on real-time demand signals, adjusting their rates, packages, and visibility to match the expectations of mobile-first guests. Agoda’s platform helps these partners reach potential guests at the moment they are most likely to book, giving hotels an edge in the highly competitive travel market.

Agoda’s approach emphasizes data-driven decision-making, with insights that allow partners to adjust dynamically to changing trends in the travel market. By tapping into Agoda’s seasonal campaigns, hotels can maximize their exposure and connect with travelers during peak booking periods, all while offering attractive deals that align with customer demand.

The Shift Towards Regional Travel: A Long-Term Trend

As Agoda continues to gather data on travel trends in Asia, one clear takeaway is the rise of intra-Asian tourism. The Lunar New Year period serves as a snapshot of this growing trend, but the increase in regional travel is expected to continue throughout the year. Countries like Japan, Thailand, and South Korea are seeing a consistent increase in travelers from neighboring Asian nations, with more people seeking culturally rich experiences that are closer to home.

This trend reflects broader changes in travel behavior across Asia, where travelers are increasingly prioritizing convenience, affordability, and cultural connections over long-haul trips. The opportunity for hotels to tap into this demand is immense, especially when leveraging platforms like Agoda to reach a wider audience and optimize bookings during key travel periods.

Collaborating for Greater Impact

Agoda’s approach with the Mega Sale campaign represents an invitation for travel partners to collaborate early, plan smarter, and co-create compelling seasonal offers that resonate with travelers. Through this collaboration, Agoda seeks to ensure that both travelers and hoteliers alike can enjoy the benefits of regional tourism during key travel seasons.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, Agoda’s Mega Sale presents an excellent opportunity for hotels to boost bookings, enhance their visibility, and connect with the growing number of regional travelers eager to celebrate and explore during this festive period. With flexible participation and robust marketing tools, Agoda’s campaign ensures that accommodation providers are well-positioned to capitalize on this lucrative seasonal demand.

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