THE number of Filipinos traveling abroad during Holy Week increased by 50 percent year on year, according to travel service provider Trip.com.
The figure is higher than the same period in 2025, reflecting a “strong appetite” for international travel, especially to nearby countries in Southeast Asia.
Filipino travelers prefer Asian destinations for Holy Week holidays, citing shorter travel time, diverse cultural attractions, and vibrant shopping and dining scenes.
Hong Kong topped the list of destinations for Filipino travelers, followed by Tokyo and Singapore. Bangkok and Taipei rounded out the top five.
Osaka, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Macao; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Hanoi, Vietnam, completed the top 10.
”This reflects Filipino travelers’ strong preference for nearby Asian cities, which offer convenient flight access, vibrant cultural experiences, and a variety of leisure and shopping experiences,” Trip.com said.
Meanwhile, it said domestic travel remains popular, with Manila, Cebu and Palawan among the top three domestic destinations, followed by Boracay and Davao del Sur.
The provinces of Bohol, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Leyte and Misamis Oriental rounded out the top 10. Trip.com attributed this to a combination of leisure trips and hometown visits.
It noted that Filipino travelers are becoming “more deliberate” when planning their Holy Week trips.
”On average, travelers are booking around 74 days before departure, indicating a preference for advanced trip planning as travelers look to secure flights, accommodations and activities well ahead of the peak holiday period,” Trip.com said in a statement. “The data also reveals that April 3 (Good Friday) is expected to be the busiest travel date, as many Filipinos begin their journeys at the start of the long holiday break.” For some, this means returning to home provinces for family gatherings and religious observances; for others, it marks the start of extended leisure trips.
The data showed Filipinos are increasingly using the week for extended vacations. The average trip length this year is approximately 9.57 days, largely in line with last year’s 10.03 days.
Trip.com highlighted evolving demographics. Women account for the majority of Holy Week travelers, making up 60 percent of bookings, compared to 40 percent for men.
Travelers ages 35 to 49 represent the largest segment at 38 percent, followed by those ages 25 to 34 at 21 percent. Working professionals are the primary drivers of demand.
A notable behavioral shift was the rise of independent travel; nearly 70 percent of bookings were made by solo travelers. Trip.com said this reflects “a growing preference for flexibility, personalized itineraries and self-directed experiences.” Trip.com’s data compared this year’s Holy Week figures (April 1–12, 2026) with last year’s (April 16–27, 2025).
”Indeed, Holy Week is emerging as one of the Philippines’ most significant travel periods supported by strong demand across both domestic and international markets,” Trip.com said. “With outbound travel surging and local destinations remaining resilient, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest Holy Week travel seasons yet.”
