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Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Klook and Hoshino Resorts Are Making It Easier To Explore Japan's Hidden Gems
SINGAPORE, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Klook, a leading platform for experiences and travel services in Asia Pacific, has teamed up with Japan's renowned hospitality brand Hoshino Resorts to make regional Japan more accessible than ever. The collaboration aims to connect travelers with authentic local experiences beyond the usual tourist hotspots—think beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—helping to ease overcrowding while driving fresh demand to Japan's up-and-coming destinations. "Overtourism is a global issue, and Japan feels it strongly," said Wilfred Fan, Chief Commercial Officer of Klook. "Alongside Hoshino Resorts, we're committed to promoting sustainable tourism through regional travel, and take this step toward securing the long-term future of Japan's tourism ecosystem." Rising Demand for Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations According to Klook's latest Travel Pulse survey, 63% of Asia Pacific travelers want to avoid crowded destinations and seek out less-traveled places. And in Japan, Klook data reveals surging interest in emerging cities such as Kunigami, Nagakute, and Usu that are witnessing a rapid rise in demand. What's fueling this shift? Stay+ Bundles: Seamless Travel Made Simple Interest in exploring Japan's emerging cities is on the rise, yet many international visitors still face practical barriers: limited transport coverage, language gaps, and a lack of reliable booking information. At the heart of the partnership are co-designed Stay+ bundles that pair stays at Hoshino Resorts' signature KAI ryokans with transportation passes like the JR Pass. Think tranquil onsens, authentic kaiseki cuisine, and hyper-local touches, paired with effortless rail travel, all easily bookable on Klook with instant confirmation and multilingual support. Mapped to 21 KAI properties located in places like Poroto in Hokkaido, Tsugaru in Tohoku, or Okuhida in the Japanese Alps, these bundles give travelers an easy step into Japan's lesser-known culture, flavours, and traditions. "We're honored to partner with Hoshino Resorts. Their unique accommodation and brand appeal, combined with Klook's strength in transportation, platform access, and regional marketing capabilities, will help raise awareness of Japan's lesser-known destinations," said Wataru Masuda, General Manager of Klook Japan. "This will encourage more travelers to explore regional areas and experience Japan's diverse natural and cultural offerings. Looking ahead, we plan to expand with more hotel brands from Hoshino Resorts and leverage AI tools to help travelers plan and book local travel experiences directly on the platform." Expanding and Encouraging Deeper Travel The rollout kicks off in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Korea, with more markets to come. It's the first step in a bigger vision: reimagining how the world discovers Japan, one local gem at a time. Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO of Hoshino Resorts added, "With growing pressure on urban tourism, guiding travelers deeper into regional areas and achieving tourism dispersion has become a long-standing priority. By partnering with Klook to integrate accommodation and transportation, we believe we can effectively address the challenge of limited local transportation and attract more travelers to explore various regions of Japan, improving both the visibility and accessibility of local tourism." Klook is Asia's leading platform for experiences and travel services. We curate quality experiences ranging from attractions and tours to local transport and experiential stays, in over 3,400 destinations globally. Founded in 2014, we are here to inspire and enable more moments of joy for travelers anytime, anywhere.
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Straits Times
Best shoes for travel to help you walk all day without pain
Ill-fitting footwear can mar a holiday experience, so make sure you find a pair suitable for your feet and the trip. SINGAPORE – Walking is the most ubiquitous – and often, most rewarding way – to explore a new place. In bustling cities, going on foot allows you to take in the pulse of a place. In nature, it is how you discover pristine landscapes. Regardless of destination, travellers are seeking experiences that often involve them being hours on their feet. These include going on adventure tours , exploring 'hidden gems' and visiting cultural hot spots – which around half of the 7,000 respondents to travel booking platform Klook's December 2024 Travel Pulse report have expressed interest in.
Tourism Breaking News
02-07-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
KSA residents embrace short Eid Al Adha getaways abroad while foreign pilgrims drive spend in Kingdom: Visa Data
Post Views: 30 According to Visa's Travel Pulse Eid Al Adha Edition, international travel by KSA residents rose by 25% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by a strong preference for shorter trips, with 69% of travelers from KSA opting for brief weekend getaways. They also made 21% more purchases abroad and spent 13% more overall this Eid, reflecting a preference to maximize the holidays with quick trips abroad. Travelers from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) took full advantage of this year's extended Eid Al Adha break, turning the six-day (June 5-10) holiday into an opportunity for cultural exploration, both at home and abroad. While many residents jetted off for short international getaways, the Kingdom also welcomed millions of foreign pilgrims during the Hajj season, driving a steady increase in travel to Saudi Arabia and spending. This Eid, international getaways became an opportunity for many KSA travelers to indulge in retail experiences. Shopping led the way across all major destinations, influencing not just how people spent, but also where they chose to go. • UAE led as the top international destination, welcoming 14% of KSA travelers and accounting for 23% of total international spend. With an average spend of $635 per card, fashion took center stage — seven of the top ten merchants were in the shopping and apparel category. Among the top brands were Dubai Duty Free Stores, Hermes, and Cartier, reflecting both a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury. Dining and entertainment were also high on the agenda. • Nine percent (9%) of travelers went to Turkey, making it the second most popular destination. It captured 15% of overall holiday spend with each visitor spending an average of $653 per card. • While UK attracted a smaller share of travelers from Saudi Arabia (6%) and overall spend (12%), it captured the highest spend per card at $839. This figure reflects the destination's premium retail appeal, with shopping leading how KSA visitors chose to spend. The Hajj season continued to play a meaningful role in Saudi Arabia's economic landscape. Compared to the same period last year, the Kingdom saw a 7% increase in the number of foreign pilgrims, who made 16% more purchases during their stay. While overall spending grew by 4% key shopping categories remained unchanged, including food, medicine, and other everyday needs, with smaller portions of spend going toward clothing and travel-related services. 'Whether it's a short break or a meaningful pilgrimage, having a simple and secure way to pay matters at every step of the journey.' said Ali Bailoun, Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman at Visa. 'We are proud to support that through our unique data insights and seamless, reliable payment solutions, and to contribute to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 by helping create more connected, inclusive and seamless payment experiences across borders.'
Daily Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
KSA Travellers Swap Long Breaks for High-Spend Getaways
Luxury wins Eid A growing number of Saudi residents chose short yet luxurious international holidays during the recent Eid Al Adha break, as data revealed a 25 percent rise in outbound travel from the Kingdom compared to last year. Visa's latest Travel Pulse report shows that nearly 7 in 10 KSA travellers preferred quick getaways over extended vacations, with shopping emerging as the dominant driver of spend. Retail focus abroad The UAE attracted the largest share of Saudi travellers, drawing 14 percent of all outbound tourists and accounting for nearly a quarter of the total international spending. Fashion and luxury brands dominated their purchases, with seven of the top ten merchants falling under the shopping and apparel category. Popular spending outlets included Dubai Duty Free, Cartier, and Hermes. On average, each Saudi visitor to the UAE spent $635 using Visa cards. Dining and entertainment were also major attractions, though shopping remained the focal point. Turkey came second as a preferred destination, capturing 9 percent of KSA travellers and 15 percent of overall holiday spend. Visitors to Turkey spent slightly more on average, with a per-card spend of $653. The UK, though attracting only 6 percent of travellers, recorded the highest average spend per card at $839, underscoring the country's strong appeal for high-end retail and luxury experiences. Pilgrim-driven growth at home While outbound travel surged, the Kingdom also welcomed a significant number of inbound visitors for the Hajj season. According to Visa, foreign pilgrim arrivals rose by 7 percent over the previous year, contributing to a 16 percent increase in spending inside Saudi Arabia. This growth was driven by everyday essentials. Food, medicine, and basic necessities formed the bulk of purchases by pilgrims, while spending on travel-related services and clothing remained relatively low. Overall in-Kingdom spending rose by 4 percent. Spending trends shift Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, said having simple and secure payment options remains critical during religious and leisure travel alike. He added that Visa aims to support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals by offering reliable cross-border payment experiences that encourage both domestic and international travel activity. Planning for next time Visa also issued recommendations to help businesses tap into this evolving travel-spend behaviour. These include exclusive cardholder partnerships, early booking rewards, and strengthening local staycation offers. With consumer behaviour during Eid now showing a clear divide between indulgent foreign escapes and essential spending at home, the season is no longer just a time for reflection but also a key moment in the region's economic calendar.
CNBC
27-06-2025
- CNBC
More Southeast Asians are flocking to China's Chongqing city. Social media hype is a big reason
A new trend is driving Southeast Asian tourists to China's Chongqing city — viral social media clips of monorails running through a residential building, buildings perched atop hilly terrain, and a pedestrian bridge on the 13th floor. Flight bookings from Southeast Asia to Chongqing increased more than sixfold during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which fell on May 31 this year, compared with the previous year, Chinese online travel platform Fliggy told CNBC. "In 2025 alone, we've captured a nearly 12-fold surge in demand for Chongqing, compared to demand for other cities," said Sarah Wan, Klook's general manager for Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, in an email. Demand doubled for other popular cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, and tripled for Chengdu, she added. Chongqing has captured online attention for its duality — it's home to natural attractions such as the Three Gorges and the Dazu Rock Carvings, and futuristic architecture that inspired its nickname, "cyberpunk city." That's partly because young adults are turning to social media for recommendations when planning their holidays, with 79% of millennial and Gen Z travelers doing so, according to Klook Travel Pulse research published in February. That was the case for Ong Chong Yu, a 24-year-old undergraduate at the National University of Singapore, and his friends, who wanted to visit the city after it "blew up" on Douyin and TikTok for its "8D magic," refering to the way buildings sit on the hilly parts of Chongqing that adds dimension to the city's landscape. The Chinese language and Chinese studies major, who is on a student exchange program in Beijing, visited Chongqing on a weekend trip in March. He said he found the city's unique landscape most memorable. "[It] takes a climb up and down the mountain to get from one road to another, the first floor of one building might be the 15th floor of another," Ong said. Aside from social media hype, an improvement in amenities and a variety of activities have contributed to the city's growing popularity. The wide range of activities available for tourists means that "there is something in Chongqing for everyone," said Edmund Ong, senior regional director of Southeast Asia at in an email to CNBC. "Older folks have long enjoyed Chongqing for its beautiful scenery, including the Yangtze River and Three Gorges, while younger travelers have seen many places there go viral on social media," he added. But it takes more than good views to make a good holiday. Although Chongqing has become more crowded since undergraduate Ong's last visit in 2018, "the city's crowd control is great," he said, "so moving around was quite orderly, which I am impressed by." The municipality has been focusing on making travel more convenient for tourists, said Gao Ling, director-general of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, in a interview translated from Mandarin by CNBC. The municipality has invested more into the transport systems for those traveling in and out of the city. With more options to and from other major cities such as Beijing and Chengdu via air and train, the city aims to make entry into Chongqing easy for tourists, Gao said in an interview with CNBC conducted in Mandarin. Earlier this year, Chongqing also established one-stop service centers in major transit hubs such as its Jiangbei International Airport and Chongqing North railway station, Gao said. The centers provide luggage storage and information desks for travelers. Young Southeast Asians may be enticed to visit, partly because of the region's proximity to China, Gao said. Among countries in Southeast Asia, has seen the most bookings to Chongqing from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, which all enjoy visa-free travel to China. Similarly, Klook has noted that tourists from Singapore and Malaysia lead sales for tours in the region, with tourists from Thailand and Indonesia fueling demand. The number of hotel bookings to Chongqing from Thai travelers has also risen more than fivefold, according to data provided by Fliggy. But the hype isn't confined to Chongqing — travel demand is rising across cities in mainland China. According to the Klook Travel Pulse research study, mainland China is the top "must-go destination" for millennial and Gen Z travelers — second only to Japan. The country's youth appeal can be attributed partly to cultural experiences such as themed photoshoots and live performances incorporating song and dance, said Elvis Yap, travel experience and design planner for China at Singapore-based tour agency Dynasty Travel. Themed photoshoots, in which travelers dress up in traditional outfits, have also blown up on social media, fueling demand, Yap said. Foreign and local tourists alike post photos of themselves on social media, dressed up in the traditional Han clothing, complete with a wig and heavy makeup, all of which are included in the service that tourists purchase. Another popular example is "gong yan," a multi-course banquet meal and show, during which customers can dress up in traditional outfits. It's "a lot more dynamic," with "high level cultural arts" performances combined with the dining experience at an affordable price, Yap said, citing the strength of the Singapore dollar against the yuan. But social media isn't the only factor — hospitality in China has also improved, with more attractive services offered in hotels and attractions, he added. "The other countries in Asia have to watch out for the level of competition that China hospitality institutions are providing," Yap said.
