Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble sparks surge in travel interest
The announcement of an upcoming quarantine-free travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore has led to a surge in demand.
Prices spiked an average of 40% within 24 hours of the news, even though no start date has been confirmed.
Return economy airfares went up from an average S$400 to S$558 for travel through December on the Singapore Airlines website.
Flight searches to Singapore spiked 400% on the Expedia Hong Kong website.
The two countries said they expect to launch the travel bubble ‘within weeks.’
Booking site Expedia has also seen a spike in flight searches.
"We have seen an increase of searches to Singapore by 400%. This is a healthy indication that there’s a strong appetite, eagerness and trust among our consumers to travel again," Ang Choo Pin, Expedia Group’s Senior Director of Asia Corporate Affairs told the South China Morning Post.
It will be a boon for both Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, as neither has a domestic air market.
Travellers will have to book designated flights between the destinations to avoid a mandatory quarantine.
Details of these will likely be released when a start date for the travel bubble is announced.
"It will be a small step forward under the pandemic but in terms of the revival of the Hong Kong economy, it’s a big step," said Michael Li Hon-shing, Executive Director at The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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