Holiday Travel in Asia 2026: Guide to Top Destinations and Festive Experiences

Asia is set for another big year of holiday travel in 2026. After a full global tourism rebound in 2024 when international arrivals reached around 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, about 99% of 2019 levels and 11% higher than 2023, Asia and the Pacific are catching up fast, helped by pent-up demand and improving connectivity.

In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region welcomed about 316 million international visitors, or 87% of pre-pandemic levels, up sharply from 66% at the end of 2023. That trajectory, combined with strong early-2025 numbers, sets the stage for a busy 2026 holiday season across the region.

At the same time, food-focused travel and festive cultural experiences are becoming core reasons to visit. A 2025 summary of food tourism data shows that 84% of travellers say local cuisine influences their destination choice, 64% say food contributes significantly to satisfaction, and 65% of international travellers try new foods when visiting a country an important signal for anyone planning trips around markets, street food, and seasonal dishes.

This guide uses 2024–2025 tourism data and emerging 2026 trends to help you decide where to go, when to travel, and how to make the most of your holiday across Asia.

Top Holiday Destinations in Asia

1. Japan: Culture and Winter Magic
Japan has moved from recovery to record-breaking. In 2024, it welcomed about 36.87 million international visitors, surpassing its 2019 high. Visitor spending reached roughly ¥8.1 trillion in 2024, also cited in the same report, making tourism a major export sector for Japan.

A weaker yen and increased flight capacity have made Japan especially attractive for international travellers, and that momentum is carrying into 2025 and beyond.

Why Japan works for 2026 holidays

• Winter illuminations: Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe turn streets into light festivals from late November through January.
• Ski and snow: Resorts in Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps combine reliable powder with hot springs and village stays.
• New Year traditions: From eating toshikoshi soba on New Year’s Eve to osechi ryori on New Year’s Day, Japan is ideal if you want your holiday to feel rooted in local ritual.
  

Food angle for 2026
Recent data from Agoda shows Japan ranking as the top searched destination for food and drink activities in Asia, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia underlining its pull as a culinary destination as well as a scenic one.

2. Thailand: Tropical Escapes with Festive Energy
Across Asia and the Pacific, tourism has largely returned, but growth is uneven. Some destinations are already above 2019 levels, while others are still catching up. 

Thailand sits firmly in the “high-demand” camp for 2026: beaches, city breaks, and food tourism remain major magnets, especially over Christmas and New Year.

Why Thailand works for 2026 holidays

• Beaches for all budgets: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, and emerging islands combine luxury resorts with more affordable guesthouses.
• Cooler season in December–January: More comfortable temperatures across much of the country, though certain regions may still see showers.
• Festive atmosphere: While not traditionally a Christmas destination, major cities and tourist areas lean into lights, events, and countdown parties for international visitors.
  
  

What to watch for in 2026

• Peak-season pricing and crowds in classic hotspots.
• More travellers are planning trips around street food, night markets, and cooking classes, as food becomes a central reason to visit mirroring the wider food tourism trends above.
  

3. South Korea: Shopping, Food, and Seasonal Festivities

North-East Asia has been slower to recover than Southeast Asia, but it’s catching up fast. UN Tourism data shows North-East Asia as a whole reaching roughly 75% of 2019 arrival levels by mid-2024, with strong growth versus 2023.

While country-specific 2024 totals for South Korea are still being updated, indicators point to a busy travel pipeline into 2026 driven by K-culture and city tourism.

Why South Korea works for the 2026 holidays

• Winter cityscapes: Seoul and Busan light up with illuminations, skating rinks, and seasonal pop-ups.
• Shopping + food: Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and Seongsu are hubs for fashion, cosmetics, cafés, and late-night street food.
• K-culture experiences: K-pop concerts, filming locations, and themed cafés continue to pull regional and global fans.
  

Insight for 2026
South Korea is a strong pick for experience-driven travel combining shopping, entertainment, and food with a distinctive winter ambience.

4. Singapore: Urban Holiday Vibes and World-Class Cuisine

Singapore’s tourism rebound has been both strong and data-rich. In 2024, the country recorded about 16.5 million international visitor arrivals, up 21% from 2023, the highest since before the pandemic. The Singapore Tourism Board expects arrivals to rise further in 2025, moving closer to, or even surpassing, pre-pandemic peaks.

Why Singapore works for 2026 holidays

• Christmas on a city scale: Orchard Road and Marina Bay host large-scale light-ups, installations, and countdown events.
• World-class food: From hawker centers to Michelin-starred dining, Singapore offers a compact, easy-to-navigate food scene.
• Convenience and safety: Efficient public transport and a highly walkable city core make it easy for short or multi-stop trips.
  
  

Insight for 2026

If you prefer urban holidays: shopping, dining, rooftop bars, and lights rather than remote nature, Singapore is one of the most reliable bets in Asia.

5. Bali (Indonesia): Wellness, Beaches, and Cultural Retreats

Indonesia’s tourism recovery has accelerated. In 2024, the country received about 13.9 million international visitors, roughly 14% below its 2019 peak but almost 19% higher than 2023. Bali, as the flagship destination, captures a significant share of that traffic.

A 2024 feature notes that Bali welcomed about 6.33 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers and highlighting both its popularity and its overtourism challenges.

Why Bali works for 2026 holidays

• Wellness and slow travel: Ubud and surrounding areas are strong for yoga, retreats, and villa stays.

• Beach and surf: From Canggu and Seminyak to Uluwatu and Nusa Dua, Bali offers both party scenes and quieter stays.
• Festive seasons: While Christmas is not a traditional local holiday, tourism areas offer festive dinners, events, and New Year celebrations, often blending local culture with global holiday expectations.
  

Emerging 2026 angle
Travellers are increasingly combining food-driven itineraries (markets, local warungs, cooking) with flexible accommodation that allows them to cook or host gatherings. Patterns also highlighted in research on how holiday home stays and food habits are shifting across Asia Pacific.

Tourism Trends Shaping Asia’s 2026 Holiday Season
1. Tourism Recovery and Growth
Global tourism has effectively recovered from the pandemic shock:

• 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, around 99% of 2019 levels and 11% higher than 2023.

Within the Asia-Pacific region:

• Destinations welcomed about 316 million international visitors in 2024, 87% of 2019 levels (up from 66% at end-2023).
• Other summaries of UN Tourism data confirm Asia and the Pacific’s rapid recovery curve in 2024.
  
  
  What this means for 2026 travellers
• The overall volume of travellers in Asia will likely be similar to or above 2019. Popular destinations will feel busy again during peak season, but some markets may still price aggressively to compete for visitors creating pockets of value for flexible travellers.

2. Rise of Food and Cultural Tourism
Globally, food has moved from a “nice extra” to a primary travel driver:

• A 2025 market report on food tourism notes that 84% of travellers say local cuisine influences their destination choice, 64% believe food contributes significantly to overall satisfaction, 65% of international travellers try new foods, and 42% consider food a major part of their travel experience.

In Asia, platforms like Agoda report a clear food tourism surge, with Japan ranking as the top searched destination for food and drink activities, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, based on mid-2025 search data.

In the Asia-Pacific holiday-home segment, Booking.com’s “Taste of Home Asia Pacific” research found that 88% of Australian travellers enjoy visiting local supermarkets or food markets on holiday, rising to 96% among frequent holiday home bookers clear evidence of how central local food has become to trip behaviour.

What this means for 2026 travellers

• Expect more food-themed tours, markets, and events in major Asian destinations.
• Booking food tours, cooking classes, and market visits ahead of time is increasingly important in peak season.
• Destinations that can tell a clear “holiday food story” from New Year dishes in Japan to Christmas street food in the Philippines are likely to stand out.

3. Travel Factors to Consider
When planning holiday travel in Asia for 2026, build around four key factors:

Weather & climate

• East Asia (Japan, South Korea, parts of China): winter from December to February is great for snow and illuminations, but cold and sometimes snowy travel days.
• Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines): generally dry or transition seasons in December–January in many areas, but check specific regional monsoon patterns.

Festival timing & demand

• Lunar New Year: Moves between late January and mid-February; huge impact on prices and crowds across East and Southeast Asia.
• Christmas & New Year: High demand in destinations with strong international tourism or large Christian populations.
• Other festivals like Diwali, Songkran, and local year-end events—can shift domestic and inbound demand.
  
  

Value & cost

• Some destinations may still offer good value as they work to fully regain market share.
• Early bookings (especially for flights and centrally located accommodation) remain key to avoiding holiday price spikes.

Cultural immersion

• There is a clear trend toward hyper-local experiences: night markets, neighbourhood eateries, and seasonal community events.
• Research from Booking.com and food-tourism studies reinforces that visiting supermarkets, markets, and local eateries is now a mainstream part of holiday behaviour, not a niche activity.
  
  

Iconic Holiday Dishes and Food Experiences Across Asia
Food is one of the most memorable aspects of travelling in Asia especially around year-end festivals. Building a holiday itinerary around signature dishes is a practical way to experience culture.

Here are some dishes to plan for:
1. Japan

a. Osechi Ryori – Traditional New Year’s feast served in lacquered boxes, with each dish symbolising wishes such as good fortune, health, and longevity.
b. Toshikoshi Soba – Buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year’s Eve to symbolise “crossing over” into the new year and wishing for a long life.

2. Thailand

a. Khanom Keng – Festive cakes symbolising prosperity, often seen around Lunar New Year and celebratory occasions.
b. Festive curries – Green curry, Massaman curry, and other dishes are centrepieces of family gatherings and New Year dinners.

3. Malaysia

a. Ketupat – Rice cakes wrapped in woven palm leaves, symbolising unity and forgiveness, especially during Hari Raya.
b. Rendang – Slow-cooked, spiced meat often served at major festivals and family celebrations.

4. South Korea

a. Tteokguk – Rice cake soup eaten during Seollal (Korean New Year), symbolising good luck and “growing one year older.”
b. Jeon – Savoury pancakes served during holidays and family gatherings.

5. Indonesia

a. Nasi Tumpeng – Cone-shaped turmeric rice served at celebrations, expressing gratitude and blessing.
b. Lapis Legit – Rich layered cake commonly enjoyed at Christmas and New Year.

6. Singapore:

a. Kueh Lapis and festive kueh – Layered cakes and colourful kueh at festive tables.
b. Seasonal hawker menus – Some hawker centres add seasonal dishes for Christmas, Lunar New Year, and other festivals.

7. Philippines: The Philippines is widely recognised as having the world’s longest Christmas season, starting as early as the “ber months” of September.

Classic Christmas foods include:
a. Bibingka – Soft rice cake cooked in clay pots, often eaten after Simbang Gabi (night masses).
b. Puto Bumbong – Purple steamed glutinous rice served with butter, sugar, and coconut.
c. Lechon – Whole roast pig as a centrepiece for major feasts and family reunions.

Insight for 2026 travellers

If you want authentic holiday experiences, plan to attend local meals, food markets, or community festivals rather than relying only on hotel buffets. Many of these dishes are tied to specific days or rituals, so checking festival calendars and church or temple schedules pays off.

How Asia Celebrates the Holiday Season

1. Lunar New Year

• Widely observed across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and beyond.
• Features family reunions, red envelopes, temple visits, fireworks, and street festivals.
• Generates a strong surge in domestic and regional travel, impacting availability and prices.

2. Diwali

• Celebrated mainly in India and parts of Southeast Asia.
• Known as the Festival of Lights, with lamps, colourful decorations, sweets, temple visits, fireworks, and gift-giving.
• Drives spikes in both domestic and outbound travel around late October or November, depending on the lunar calendar.

3. Christmas

• In the Philippines, Christmas begins as early as September, with decorations and music continuing well into January, earning it the title of world’s longest Christmas season (see the link above).
• Japan treats Christmas more as a romantic and illumination-focused holiday, with couples’ dinners and city light-ups.
• Singapore and South Korea emphasise lights, shopping festivals, and countdown events, drawing both locals and international visitors.

4. Hari Raya / Eid al-Fitr

• In Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and other Muslim-majority areas, families visit each other’s homes, share elaborate meals, and wear traditional clothing.
• Travel patterns often include homecoming trips, festive traffic, and strong demand for domestic flights and buses.

5. Songkran (Thailand)

• Thai New Year in April, famous for its water-throwing street celebrations, temple visits, and cultural parades.
• While not in the December period, it’s a key holiday anchor if you’re planning multiple trips to Asia across 2026.

Insight for 2026 travellers
Travelling during these festivals offers deep cultural immersion, but also means higher demand and higher prices. Booking early for flights and central accommodation is critical, especially around Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year.

Travel Insights and Tips for Holiday Trips in Asia
To get the most out of your 2026 holiday travel in Asia:

1. Book early for peak periods

• Secure flights and core accommodation several months in advance for Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year.
• Consider flexible tickets if your dates might shift.

2. Consider shoulder dates and secondary hubs

• Arriving a few days before or after the main holiday (e.g., just after Christmas or just before Lunar New Year) can reduce costs and crowds.
• Look at secondary cities and islands for better value while still accessing main attractions.

3. Plan around food & culture

• Use food and local festivals as anchors for your itinerary: markets, speciality dishes, or parades.
• The Booking.com and food-tourism sources above show how central food has become to trip planning especially where travellers stay in holiday homes or apartments.

4. Balance value and experience

• Look for packages or stays that include breakfast, transfers, or activity credits.
• In destinations like Japan and Singapore, paying a bit more for location and connectivity can save time and local transport costs.

5. Check the weather and climate carefully

• Monsoon boundaries and seasonal transitions differ by region. What’s dry in one part of Southeast Asia can still be wet in another.
• For winter sport or snow-chasing trips, keep an eye on local snow reports and transport advisories.

6. Travel responsibly

• Choose operators and accommodations with clear sustainability practices for example, refill bottle options, local employment, or waste reduction initiatives.
• Respect local customs during religious festivals and avoid overcrowding sensitive sites.

Final Thoughts
As you plan for the 2026 holiday season, Asia offers an exceptional range of options from snowy Japanese temples and Seoul city lights to tropical Thai islands, Singapore’s urban sparkle, and Bali’s wellness retreats.
Backed by strong tourism recovery, the rise of food-driven travel, and a rich calendar of festivals, the region is well positioned to deliver memorable experiences for every travel style and budget. With thoughtful planning around timing, value, and cultural immersion, your 2026 holiday in Asia can be both unforgettable and insight-driven.

Learn more about Dive into Asia’s Game-Changing Consumer Trends for 2026 and Explore the Flavors of Asia: From Classics to Tomorrow’s Trends, all on Eye on Asia. Stay tuned for our next feature! ✨

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