Airbnb sees 400% growth in searches for Philippine stays during summer

Online rental platform Airbnb reported an almost 400% growth in searches for stays in the Philippines during the summer season, with the country fully easing restrictions for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Airbnb, searches in the past year for check-ins between March 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023 surged from the same period last year amid the rebound in travel across the country especially during the peak season.

Santa Maria in Bulacan was the most searched city among Filipino travelers for the summer. It was followed by Malay in Aklan, Baguio City, Cebu City, and Pasay City.

Manila was the most searched for international travelers, followed by Cebu City, Malay, and El Nido in Palawan.

“The enthusiasm among Filipinos and international travelers alike to visit the country’s amazing beaches, experience the richness of Philippine culture, and enjoy world-renowned Filipino hospitality, is extremely amazing,” Airbnb General Manager for Southeast Asia Amanpreet Bajaj said in an emailed statement.

“It means more tourism dollars flowing into more communities, which in turn supports more local businesses and jobs. We are committed to working closely with the government and industry stakeholders to support and further drive travel as it returns,” he added.

In terms of bookings by Filipino users, Airbnb said the United States was the most booked overseas destination in 2022, followed by Canada, Japan, Korea, and Thailand.

The most booked cities overseas were Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, London, New York, and Toronto.

Airbnb said most Filipinos traveled mostly in pairs, while group travel bookings jumped by nearly 180% year-on-year. —VAL, GMA Integrated News