Asian travellers staying close to home
SINGAPORE – Interest in travelling among Singaporeans and Asians in general still remains despite the economic slowdown, according to recent data released by Wego.com.
Asia’s fast-growing travel search engine has seen a remarkable 260 percent increase, year-on-year (period 1- 19 January) in travellers visiting the Wego site looking for the best travel deals.
In Singapore, where the company has been established since 2006, growth for the same period has been 128 percent.
“Given the economic climate, seasoned travelers and first-time travelers alike pause before taking a trip,†says Martin Symes, CEO of Wego.
Wego’s data suggests that both Singapore outbound and inbound travellers are currently focusing on short, intra-regional trips.
All but one of the destinations in the top 10 searched for by Singaporeans in January 2009 are within the Asia Pacific region.
Similarly, those looking to travel to Singapore are exclusively from the region.
Where do Singaporeans want to go?
Top 10 flight searches FROM Singapore (Jan 1-19, 2009)
1.Bangkok
2.Hong Kong
3.Denpasar (Bali)
4.Phuket
5.Kuala Lumpur
6.Taipei
7.Sydney
8.Melbourne
9.Manila
10. London
Who is interested in visiting Singapore?*
Top 10 flight searches from other destinations TO Singapore
(Jan 1-19, 2009)
1.Hong Kong
2.Manila
3.Sydney
4.Madras
5.Kuala Lumpur
6.Mumbai
7.Delhi
8.Bangkok
9.Melbourne
10. Jakarta
• Note that Wego’s business is currently focused on, and hence its results biased towards, the following markets: Singapore, Australia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong
Source: www.webintravel.com
Ian Jarrett
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