Majority or 81 percent of Filipinos who booked flights from October 30 to November 2 this year are traveling domestically, while 19 percent are heading abroad, reflecting the country’s tradition to honor their departed loved ones during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Undas) by going home to gather for prayer and over food, turning memorial parks a venue to reconnect with relatives and friends.
Data from AirAsia MOVE data, formerly known as Airasia Superapp, showed that while Holy Week remains the year’s biggest travel season, Undas isn’t far behind, with trips during the break now making up around 53 percent of Holy Week’s total bookings.
“This highlights how deeply rooted the tradition of going home and paying respects remains, even as travel habits evolve with time,” said Move.
Top origin cities include Manila, Cebu, Tacloban, Iloilo, and Bacolod, showing how major hubs connect the provinces during this meaningful season.
Interestingly, Manila remains both a top origin and destination, as it’s home to the Manila North Cemetery, the country’s largest, which welcomed 1.6 million visitors last year.
The same top origin cities also appeared as the top destinations, with Boracay replacing Bacolod on the list. Internationally, travelers mostly jetted off to Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul,.
While Undas remains a time for reflection and reunion, some Filipinos are also seizing the break to travel, showing how traditions evolve alongside new travel habits – blending remembrance with recreation.
Most travelers booked two to four weeks ahead, with nearly 34 percent finalizing plans 15 to 30 days before departure. The peak travel date is October 30, a day earlier than the official long weekend.
In terms of trip duration, nearly half of the travelers (49%) booked a three to four-day trip duration, while 21 percent opted for five to six days, indicating that many Filipinos combined remembrance with rest and short vacations.
With affordable fares and smarter planning, Move said Filipinos continue to make the most of every opportunity to move, for family, faith, or fun.
