The vast majority or 82 percent of Filipinos are spending the Holy Week domestically, based on data by AirAsia Move.
The AirAsia superapp showed that 82 percent of travelers flying within the Philippines, and only 18 percent are heading internationally.
More than half of bookings (55%) depart from Manila, underscoring its role as the country’s primary economic hub. Working-class professionals or students heading back to their hometowns from Manila reflect the strong cultural tradition of returning home during Holy Week.
Other key departure points include Cebu (12%), Iloilo and Tacloban (at 5% respectively), and Caticlan and Puerto Princesa (2%), and various regional airports across the country (19%).
Heading home
While 40 percent of the Manila-based travelers usually fly to Cebu, Iloilo, and Tacloban to reconnect with family, others are taking advantage of the long break for leisure with 17 percent heading to island destinations like Boracay and Puerto Princesa and 9 percent are flying internationally to nearby cities such as Taipei and Kuala Lumpur.
Among Manila-based travelers, 56 percent are flying solo, while 18 percent travel as couples, 15 percent with children, and 11 percent in groups of friends, showing that most journeys are independent, though some are shared with loved ones.
Short trips
Most trips are short, with 40 percent lasting 3–4 days and 26 percent extending to 5–6 days, perfectly aligned with the long weekend structure of Holy Week. Morning departures lead at 35 percent, as travelers aim to maximize their time at their destination, while 17 percent opt for red-eye or late-night flights, a practical choice for students and working professionals looking to make the most of limited leave days.
Filipino travelers are booking early, with 29 percent securing trips 15–30 days in advance and 22 percent booking 31–60 days ahead. Last-minute booking remains minimal at 2 percent, indicating strong intent to plan ahead during this peak season.
For those traveling for leisure, accommodations are chosen with both comfort and affordability in mind. 4-star hotels account for 41 percent of bookings, followed by 3-star hotels at 37 percent, with an average nightly stay of 4,000 pesos, highlighting that even short getaways prioritize value-for-money stays without compromising on convenience.
