SINGAPORE, 22 September, 2021 - Singaporeans have had a rough few months, but despite an increase in COVID-19 cases putting international travel plans back on hold, a new study from Tripadvisor reveals that Singaporeans are still wanting, dreaming and searching for alternative vacation plans. Staycations were a hot topic at the start of the pandemic and data is showing that this trend is here to stay. 

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, today released findings from its Seasonal Travel Index for Fall, revealing travel trends and providing Singaporeans with insight into what’s popular, trendy and bookable in the months ahead. Recent Tripadvisor site data shows that regionally in APAC, the vast majority (87%) of travel intent remains domestic. 

Singaporeans are still determined to make up for lost travel time due to the pandemic by packing in as many trips as they can. A third of Singaporeans (33%) are planning at least two trips this Fall and more than one in ten (12%) are planning on taking three or more. 

This revenge travel mindset is also evident in the spending habits of Singaporeans this Fall as around one in three (35%) plan to spend more on their biggest trip than they did on their biggest trip during the same time period pre-pandemic in 2019. Gen Z Singaporeans are most likely to spend more as nearly half (46%) said that they will do so.

At the start of the pandemic, single night staycations were all the rage as Singaporeans desperately looked for a quick break from their own homes. But with extended lockdowns and prolonged work from home policies put in place for a large part of this year, more and more Singaporeans seem to be looking for a longer escape from the daily grind. In fact, the survey found that around one in seven (13%) of Singaporean travellers indicated their plans for a one night stay, compared with the 59% that are looking for a longer 2-5 day stay.  

What’s trending on Tripadvisor for Singaporeans this Fall?

• When it comes to hotels, Singaporean travellers are searching most for clean (COVID-19 safe) hotels and modern hotels

• In terms of amenities, restaurant, bar/lounge and spas are popping

• The most popular hotel styles in Singapore are family and mid-range hotels 

• Singaporeans are spending SGD 487 on average on their Fall trip

• City trips are top of the list! The most popular international trips that Singaporeans are planning to book once borders open are New York City, London, Hong Kong and Dubai

For those holding out for their long awaited return to international travel, below is a breakdown of the most popular international destinations that Singaporeans are still searching for based on the biggest year on year increase of searches. 

1. New York City, USA

2. London, England

3. Hong Kong

4. Dubai, UAE

5. Bangkok, Thailand

6. Munich, Germany

7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

8. Phuket, Thailand

9. Paris, France

10. Doha, Qatar

For locals wanting to book a staycation, why not check out one of the 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners? 

1. Novotel Singapore On Stevens

2. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

3. One Farrer Hotel

4. AMOY by Far East Hospitality

5. Mandarin Oriental, Singapore

6. Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore

7. Conrad Centennial Singapore

8. Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore by Far East Hospitality

9. The St. Regis Singapore

10. JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La

METHODOLOGY

The data cited in this release was gathered and analysed from two key sources:

• A Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, based on data drawn from an online survey of over 2,386 consumers, in partnership with Qualtrics, conducted between September 3 through September 14, 2021 across six countries - U.S., UK, Australia, Italy, Singapore and Japan

  • Generations cited are broken down by the following age ranges:

    • 57 - 75 (Baby boomer)

    • 41 - 56 (Generation X)

    • 25 - 40 (Millennials)

    • 18 - 24 (Generation Z)

• Site behavioral data sourced from first party traffic data on the Tripadvisor platform, gathered during the week commencing 30 August, 2021, for searches made by UK travellers from 1 June, 2021 through 31 August, 2021 for travel between 13 September, 2021 through 31 October, 2021.

For further information, contact apacpr@tripadvisor.com