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.
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Thai travelers' behavior shifts toward short-haul destinations during the May holiday: Agoda
BEIJING, June 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a news report from China Daily:
When seeking economic growth and delivering benefits to the people, political parties in Global South countries should act based on their national conditions, chart suitable paths to achieve modernization, boost mutual learning and improve global governance, said prominent political figures, scholars and media executives.
They made the remarks on Friday in Beijing during the 2026 Think Tank Forum on National Governance in Developing Countries. The high-level forum took place ahead of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, which falls on Wednesday.
Over 150 experts, scholars and media representatives from more than 20 countries and international organizations attended the event.
Xie Chuntao, executive vice-president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, also known as the National Academy of Governance, said the Chinese path to modernization is viable and steadily advancing, and "it is the only correct path to building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation".
To realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has provided scientific theory guidance, advanced and broadened the right path, mapped out a magnificent strategic blueprint and provided strong institutional guarantees, he said.
China's five-year plans take five years as a development phase, Xie said, adding that by formulating these plans, strategies are broken down into phased tasks "to ensure that the right things are done at the right time and that we follow the right path".
Qu Qingshan, president of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, said that over the past 105 years, the CPC has shouldered four major responsibilities — leading the country, promoting development, preserving the nation's culture and maintaining peace.
Political parties should "constantly focus on and resolve challenges to development, secure and improve people's livelihoods through growth, and ensure that the fruits of development benefit all people more extensively and equitably", Qu said.
"For the past 105 years, the CPC has consistently stood on the right side of history. It has opposed aggression, oppression and hegemony, and has always been a staunch force for securing world peace," he added.
Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, noted that China has proposed four major global initiatives to pool efforts for modernization, cement the foundation of common security, promote the diversity of world civilizations and expand pathways for building a community with a shared future for humanity.
"The CPC increasingly serves as a vital force in driving political parties around the world to jointly explore the laws and patterns of governance, exchange experiences in governing a country, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and advance the progress of human civilization," he said.
Chang Bo, president of China International Communications Group, highlighted three key aspects — innovation in theory, a people-centered stance, and openness and win-win cooperation — and their significance in governance by political parties.
Looking back at history, "political parties' values, leadership, governing capabilities, morale and determination directly shape the future and destiny of a country's modernization", he said.
As the ruling party of the world's largest developing country, the CPC has always highly valued friendly cooperation with political parties around the world, particularly those in developing nations, Chang added.
Greater responsibilities
Tamara Duisenova, director of the Academy of Political Management of Kazakhstan and former Kazakh deputy prime minister, said the historical mission of political parties "goes far beyond participating in elections; it lies in building a social consensus on the future".
"Contemporary political parties not only shoulder important domestic responsibilities, but are also becoming institutions of public diplomacy, promoting mutual understanding among countries, facilitating the exchange of experiences and fostering an atmosphere of trust," she said.
Jose Luis Centella, chairman of the Communist Party of Spain, said that countries in the Global South and the Global North should engage in an equal dialogue, reject zero-sum games and colonial thinking, and move toward multilateral relations centered on win-win cooperation.
The Belt and Road Initiative provides a solid foundation for the implementation of the four major global initiatives, enabling them to truly become practical tools for developing countries to advance effective national governance, he said.
Erik Solheim, chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former undersecretary-general of the United Nations, noted that China expanded its economy and eliminated poverty at the same time. The improved ecology in China has proved to be "an enormous economic asset", he said.
Highlighting the role of China's special economic zones in driving industrialization, Solheim said that it is important to focus on certain clusters where people can "think together and develop together".
Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the lower house of the Malaysian parliament and former Malaysian transport minister, said the CPC has proved its profound vigor in evolving from a grassroots-based revolutionary party into a force of governance that remains highly innovative in these changing times.
He endorsed China's efforts in global artificial intelligence governance to bridge the digital divide that threatens to leave the Global South behind.
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Parties seen as key to driving global governance, modernization
