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Search trends point to rising preference for closer, easier holiday getaways
SINGAPORE, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thai travelers are increasingly favoring short-distance, easy-to-plan getaways, reflecting a growing preference for trips that require less time and effort to organize, according to search data from digital travel platform Agoda.
An increase in accommodation searches was seen for short-haul destinations during the 30 April to 4 May Labor Day and Coronation long weekend, compared to the same period last year. This growth in search interest spans both domestic and outbound travel – with Rayong emerging as a leading local destination, and Ho Chi Minh City ranking among the top choices for international trips.
Thai travelers are showing strong interest in nearby destinations within the country, with Rayong recording the highest growth at 44%, followed by Pattaya at 40% and Chonburi at 29%. Among destinations within driving range of Bangkok, Ko Samet at 22% and Hua Hin/Cha-am at 19% also continue to see steady growth, reinforcing the appeal of nearby escapes.
This shift in travel behavior may be influenced by rising travel costs and a growing preference for more budget-conscious and flexible trips, where shorter distances help reduce both planning time and overall expenses. Rayong's growing appeal is also supported by wider efforts to promote agricultural tourism, with seasonal fruit orchards and farm experiences adding a fresh dimension to the destination and encouraging more local travel.
Further afield, destinations such as Krabi at 13% and Chiang Mai at 28% also recorded positive growth, indicating that while short-distance trips are a key trend this holiday period, Thai travelers continue to explore longer-distance options for a wider range of travel experiences.
A similar pattern can be seen in outbound travel, where short-haul destinations are driving the strongest growth. Cities within a short flight from Bangkok see strong interest from Thai travellers, with Ho Chi Minh City recording the highest increase at 134%, followed by Da Nang at 58% and Hong Kong at 2%.
Seoul is the only destination in the top rankings that falls outside the short-haul category, recording a 49% increase. Its popularity is likely supported by seasonal appeal, as spring is widely considered one of the best times to visit.
Akaporn Rodkong, Country Director, Thailand and Indochina at Agoda, said "Thai travelers remain enthusiastic about traveling across the year, even immediately after a major holiday period such as Songkran. At the same time, there is a clear shift toward more budget‑conscious decision‑making, with travelers placing greater value on simpler and more convenient trips. As a result, short‑distance and easy‑to‑plan destinations are gaining popularity, both within Thailand and across nearby international markets. At Agoda we are proud to offer a broad range of options across different destinations and budgets, helping travelers find choices that suit their needs."
Travelers planning their mid-year getaways can explore great value across more than six million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 activities and experiences on Agoda. With a wide range of options across nearby beach destinations and short-haul city breaks, Agoda makes it easy for travelers to plan quick, convenient escapes that fit perfectly into long weekends, helping them maximize their time off while enjoying seamless booking and great deals.
Search trends point to rising preference for closer, easier holiday getaways
SINGAPORE, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thai travelers are increasingly favoring short-distance, easy-to-plan getaways, reflecting a growing preference for trips that require less time and effort to organize, according to search data from digital travel platform Agoda.
An increase in accommodation searches was seen for short-haul destinations during the 30 April to 4 May Labor Day and Coronation long weekend, compared to the same period last year. This growth in search interest spans both domestic and outbound travel – with Rayong emerging as a leading local destination, and Ho Chi Minh City ranking among the top choices for international trips.
Thai travelers are showing strong interest in nearby destinations within the country, with Rayong recording the highest growth at 44%, followed by Pattaya at 40% and Chonburi at 29%. Among destinations within driving range of Bangkok, Ko Samet at 22% and Hua Hin/Cha-am at 19% also continue to see steady growth, reinforcing the appeal of nearby escapes.
This shift in travel behavior may be influenced by rising travel costs and a growing preference for more budget-conscious and flexible trips, where shorter distances help reduce both planning time and overall expenses. Rayong's growing appeal is also supported by wider efforts to promote agricultural tourism, with seasonal fruit orchards and farm experiences adding a fresh dimension to the destination and encouraging more local travel.
Further afield, destinations such as Krabi at 13% and Chiang Mai at 28% also recorded positive growth, indicating that while short-distance trips are a key trend this holiday period, Thai travelers continue to explore longer-distance options for a wider range of travel experiences.
A similar pattern can be seen in outbound travel, where short-haul destinations are driving the strongest growth. Cities within a short flight from Bangkok see strong interest from Thai travellers, with Ho Chi Minh City recording the highest increase at 134%, followed by Da Nang at 58% and Hong Kong at 2%.
Seoul is the only destination in the top rankings that falls outside the short-haul category, recording a 49% increase. Its popularity is likely supported by seasonal appeal, as spring is widely considered one of the best times to visit.
Akaporn Rodkong, Country Director, Thailand and Indochina at Agoda, said "Thai travelers remain enthusiastic about traveling across the year, even immediately after a major holiday period such as Songkran. At the same time, there is a clear shift toward more budget‑conscious decision‑making, with travelers placing greater value on simpler and more convenient trips. As a result, short‑distance and easy‑to‑plan destinations are gaining popularity, both within Thailand and across nearby international markets. At Agoda we are proud to offer a broad range of options across different destinations and budgets, helping travelers find choices that suit their needs."
Travelers planning their mid-year getaways can explore great value across more than six million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 activities and experiences on Agoda. With a wide range of options across nearby beach destinations and short-haul city breaks, Agoda makes it easy for travelers to plan quick, convenient escapes that fit perfectly into long weekends, helping them maximize their time off while enjoying seamless booking and great deals.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Thai travelers' behavior shifts toward short-haul destinations during the May holiday: Agoda
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The First Time a Game in the Legendary Franchise Comes to Consoles
BELLEVUE, Wash., June 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Critically-acclaimed game development studio ArenaNet® tonight announced Guild Wars 3™, the third entry in the legendary and beloved Guild Wars® MMORPG franchise and their first new game since 2012. The game will release globally on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, marking the first time a Guild Wars game will appear on home consoles. The first beta test is scheduled for fall of 2027.
The official debut trailer features the first in-engine gameplay footage and can be viewed HERE. The first concept art and other assets are hosted at the Guild Wars 3 official press kit.
"Guild Wars 3 is a new era not just for ArenaNet and Guild Wars, but also for MMORPGs as a whole," said Colin Johanson, Guild Wars 3 Game Director and ArenaNet Studio Head. "The MMORPG genre has millions of players worldwide eager for new, modern experiences, and the opportunity to harness that excitement is immense. Our approach with Guild Wars 3 is to push MMORPGs forward, to create an online game world that feels believable, rewarding, responsive, and innovative while at the same time respecting players' time and providing a positive, supportive space to build community and enjoy new stories in our universe."
Taking place over a thousand years before the events of the original game, Guild Wars 3 is set in the Tyrian region of Orr, a vast wilderness frontier imbued with the world's magic. Nature entities with strong connections to the land called Vael spirits embody the vitality of this lush, verdant landscape. Various guilds are engaged in conflict over how to protect or exploit the bounty beyond civilization's borders. These multitudinous spirits will vary in size and influence within the ecosystems around them, with the most notable of these being the Seeker. As seen in the trailer, every player's Seeker will serve as a connection to the spirits of Orr and a mount that will carry them on their journeys through the game's open world.
Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, a member of a guild of adventurers committed to preserving and protecting both the spirits of the wild and the land of Orr itself. Through the deep character customization and skill-building gameplay the Guild Wars franchise is known for, players will seek adventure and confront danger across this sumptuous, vibrant online world, growing their relationships with the spirits of the wild, the inhabitants of Orr, and other Vaelwarden players.
A combat system designed from the outset to feel great on both a controller and keyboard rewards positioning by emphasizing the joy of movement and momentum. As players seamlessly transition between various movement modes, they can harness their speed and turn it into bigger damage and impact when fighting their foes.
More information about pricing, beta tests, release date, and gameplay features will be revealed later in 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available directly from the developers at GuildWars3.com, and can be wishlisted on Steam and the PlayStation Store beginning today, with more information available at the game's official website.
About the Guild Wars Franchise
Guild Wars is the award-winning, visually stunning MMORPG franchise that originally launched in 2005 on PC. Boasting a timeless art-brought-to-life aesthetic, the epic grandeur of massive role-playing environments, fast-paced action combat, large-scale dynamic events that players tackle together in the open world, team-based competitive player-versus-player battles, and a sprawling fantasy storyline, the series is often proclaimed as having the friendliest player community in gaming. Guild Wars was relaunched as Guild Wars Reforged in 2025 and expanded to mobile devices in 2026. Guild Wars 2® launched in 2012 on PC and quickly earned accolades across the industry, including Time Magazine's 2012 Game of the Year. Unlike most competitors, the franchise has always been playable with no subscription fee required, welcoming over 29 million players across its history.
About ArenaNet
ArenaNet is the developer of the best-selling Guild Wars Reforged and the groundbreaking Guild Wars 2 massively multiplayer online PC role-playing games. The studio's mission is to create innovative online worlds, cultivate a vibrant and engaged global community of players, and to incorporate handcrafted artistry into every aspect of their games. ArenaNet formed in 2000, with press and fans consistently calling Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 two of the best MMOs and RPGs of all time. Based in Bellevue, WA, ArenaNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korean gaming giant NC.
The First Time a Game in the Legendary Franchise Comes to Consoles
BELLEVUE, Wash., June 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Critically-acclaimed game development studio ArenaNet® tonight announced Guild Wars 3™, the third entry in the legendary and beloved Guild Wars® MMORPG franchise and their first new game since 2012. The game will release globally on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, marking the first time a Guild Wars game will appear on home consoles. The first beta test is scheduled for fall of 2027.
The official debut trailer features the first in-engine gameplay footage and can be viewed HERE. The first concept art and other assets are hosted at the Guild Wars 3 official press kit.
"Guild Wars 3 is a new era not just for ArenaNet and Guild Wars, but also for MMORPGs as a whole," said Colin Johanson, Guild Wars 3 Game Director and ArenaNet Studio Head. "The MMORPG genre has millions of players worldwide eager for new, modern experiences, and the opportunity to harness that excitement is immense. Our approach with Guild Wars 3 is to push MMORPGs forward, to create an online game world that feels believable, rewarding, responsive, and innovative while at the same time respecting players' time and providing a positive, supportive space to build community and enjoy new stories in our universe."
Taking place over a thousand years before the events of the original game, Guild Wars 3 is set in the Tyrian region of Orr, a vast wilderness frontier imbued with the world's magic. Nature entities with strong connections to the land called Vael spirits embody the vitality of this lush, verdant landscape. Various guilds are engaged in conflict over how to protect or exploit the bounty beyond civilization's borders. These multitudinous spirits will vary in size and influence within the ecosystems around them, with the most notable of these being the Seeker. As seen in the trailer, every player's Seeker will serve as a connection to the spirits of Orr and a mount that will carry them on their journeys through the game's open world.
Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, a member of a guild of adventurers committed to preserving and protecting both the spirits of the wild and the land of Orr itself. Through the deep character customization and skill-building gameplay the Guild Wars franchise is known for, players will seek adventure and confront danger across this sumptuous, vibrant online world, growing their relationships with the spirits of the wild, the inhabitants of Orr, and other Vaelwarden players.
A combat system designed from the outset to feel great on both a controller and keyboard rewards positioning by emphasizing the joy of movement and momentum. As players seamlessly transition between various movement modes, they can harness their speed and turn it into bigger damage and impact when fighting their foes.
More information about pricing, beta tests, release date, and gameplay features will be revealed later in 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available directly from the developers at GuildWars3.com, and can be wishlisted on Steam and the PlayStation Store beginning today, with more information available at the game's official website.
About the Guild Wars Franchise
Guild Wars is the award-winning, visually stunning MMORPG franchise that originally launched in 2005 on PC. Boasting a timeless art-brought-to-life aesthetic, the epic grandeur of massive role-playing environments, fast-paced action combat, large-scale dynamic events that players tackle together in the open world, team-based competitive player-versus-player battles, and a sprawling fantasy storyline, the series is often proclaimed as having the friendliest player community in gaming. Guild Wars was relaunched as Guild Wars Reforged in 2025 and expanded to mobile devices in 2026. Guild Wars 2® launched in 2012 on PC and quickly earned accolades across the industry, including Time Magazine's 2012 Game of the Year. Unlike most competitors, the franchise has always been playable with no subscription fee required, welcoming over 29 million players across its history.
About ArenaNet
ArenaNet is the developer of the best-selling Guild Wars Reforged and the groundbreaking Guild Wars 2 massively multiplayer online PC role-playing games. The studio's mission is to create innovative online worlds, cultivate a vibrant and engaged global community of players, and to incorporate handcrafted artistry into every aspect of their games. ArenaNet formed in 2000, with press and fans consistently calling Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 two of the best MMOs and RPGs of all time. Based in Bellevue, WA, ArenaNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korean gaming giant NC.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Guild Wars 3, Modern Evolution of the MMORPG, Announced at Summer Game Fest for PC and PlayStation 5
