Travelers continue to favor destinations within 4-hour flying time and the proportion of bookings are now being made more than 120 days before departure indicating confidence in longer-term travel planning after a period characterized by shorter booking windows, with increased flight spending, according to data from travel booking app MOVE.
AirAsia MOVE’s (MOVE) insights from forward bookings for travel between July 1 and December 31, 2026, revealed that travelers are increasingly prioritizing value, convenience, and thoughtful planning over volume alone.
The findings indicate that travelers are moving away from spontaneous decision-making towards more intentional travel in 2026, prioritizing destinations that offer greater value, shorter travel times, and meaningful experiences without compromising affordability.
While domestic travel remains resilient across the region, the international demand continues to be concentrated on destinations within 4 hour-flying time, where travellers can maximize both their time and travel budgets.
International travel is expected to strengthen in the second half.
Travelers are also planning holidays earlier, with a growing proportion of bookings now being made more than 120 days before departure. The trend points to renewed confidence in longer-term travel planning after a period characterized by shorter booking windows.
Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines are expected to remain among the strongest destination markets during the remainder of the year, reflecting continued demand for regional travel supported by strong connectivity and competitive value.
Increased spending
Notably, MOVE said the average flight spending for the second half of 2026 is currently around 35 percent higher than the average hotel spend.The data suggests that travelers remain willing to invest in reaching their preferred destinations, while becoming more selective about where they stay.
Rather than choosing premium luxury accommodation, travelers are increasingly opting for hotels that provide the right balance of comfort, convenience, and affordability.
This is reflected across the more than one million hotels available on MOVE worldwide, where 76 percent of bookings are for three and four star properties, demonstrating a clear preference for quality accommodation that delivers greater value.
Millennials
Millennials remain the largest traveling generation on MOVE, accounting for 43 percent of all bookings, followed by Gen Z at 23 percent. Together, they represent almost two-thirds of bookings across the platform, reinforcing that younger travelers continue to shape the region’s travel economy.
