APAC long-haul flights decline by 2.8% YoY - BusinessWorld Online

REUTERS Global commerce intelligence platform Criterio said that flight appetite in the Asia-Pacific region has shifted toward short- and medium-haul flights, as long-haul flights decline by 2.8% due to the Middle East war.“Travel demand in APAC remains resilient, but travelers are becoming more selective about how and where they travel,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

“Rather than a pullback on travel altogether, this reflects a recalibration in demand, creating opportunity for destination marketers and OTAs (online travel agencies) serving shorter-haul routes,” it added.The Criteo’s Spring/Summer 2026 Travel Pulse report noted that air traffic in the region fell 17% YoY in Q1 2026 as many travelers reconsidered long-haul flights due to the ongoing war.

However, short- and medium-haul flights have gained traction in April, increasing by 1.0% and 1.8% YoY, respectively.Hotel traffic also rose by nearly 30% YoY, despite conversion rates softening by 10% YoY in Q1. “The appetite for travel hasn’t disappeared — it has just shifted closer to home,” the platform said.

The increase in regional travel is evident in the Philippines.Data from the Tourism department showed that outbound trips reached nearly two million in Q1 of the year, up from the 1.7 million a year earlier.

The department attributed the increase largely to outbound travel due to demand for short-haul Asian destinations.Among the top destinations are Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Apart from changes in destination preferences, Criterio reported that travelers globally are deliberating longer before booking their trips and accommodations.On average, tourists browse 25 hotel listings before booking, and 66% cited good reviews as their top decision factor.

“That extended deliberation is playing out across a longer season than anywhere else in the world,” the platform said.“The challenge is no longer att...