International travel is experiencing a significant surge this Labour Day holiday, with outbound flight bookings from Singapore and China rising by 15% year-on-year, according to data from Trip.com Group. The extended five-day holiday in China, from 1 to 5 May, has encouraged more Chinese travellers to explore international destinations, often visiting multiple cities in one trip.
Edmund Ong, Senior Regional Director at Trip.com, noted, “Singaporeans are making use of the long weekend for quick international escapes, whilst Chinese travellers are not just venturing abroad, but often exploring two or more cities within a single overseas trip.” Popular destinations for Chinese travellers include Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo.
In Singapore, the three-day Labour Day break has prompted many to travel abroad, with a notable 16% increase in multi-city bookings. Destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Seoul remain popular, whilst cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Sydney, and Tokyo have seen over 30% growth in bookings.
Chinese travellers are also showing a strong preference for international travel, with a 31% increase in multi-destination trips. Top international destinations include Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore, whilst Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu are favoured for domestic travel.
For inbound travel to Singapore, China leads as the top source market, followed by Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This trend highlights the growing appeal of Singapore as a travel destination during the Labour Day holiday.
