Short trips surged by almost 40 percent1 in 2025, as Thai travel habits transform for 2026.
Chiang Mai emerges as a trending destination for Korean families.
Travel in 2026 is set to become more agile, more experience-driven and more creative, with new insights from Airbnb showing how both Thai travelers and visitors from across Asia are changing where they go, how long they stay and what they look for when they travel.
From the rise of one- and two-day getaways and group travel abroad, to growing demand for unique stays and food-led cultural experiences, Airbnb data points to a new era of travel built around flexibility, authenticity and deeper local connection.
Short trips become the new normal
Thai travelers increasingly swapped long holidays for shorter escapes in 2025. Airbnb data shows that one- to two day domestic trips among Thais grew by almost 40 percent since 2023,1 while short international trips grew by nearly 15 percent over the same period.2 The trend reflects changing lifestyles and work patterns, with travelers fitting meaningful experiences into more flexible routines – whether through weekend breaks or short overseas city visits – and weaving travel more naturally into everyday life, supported by the popularity of remote and hybrid work.
Japan still dominates outbound travel by Thais, but habits are shifting
Japan remained the top destination for Thai travelers in 2025, but travel styles are evolving. Searches for group travel to Tokyo surged by 77 percent in 2025,3 making it one of the fastest-growing cities for Thais travelling together.3 Among millennials, interest expanded beyond major cities, with continued growth in interest for travel to Osaka and Nagano4.
The shift highlights a move toward shared experiences and more specialised destinations, even for short trips.
Chiang Mai emerges as a regional favorite
With its mix of food culture, heritage, creative communities and surrounding nature, Chiang Mai is increasingly seen as a place to slow down. Airbnb data shows the northern city was trending among Korean families in 2025, with searches up by almost 27 percent year-on-year,5 and also gained popularity among millennial travelers from Australia.
Food and culture lead the experience economy
Experiences remain central to travel in Thailand. Airbnb data shows that food and drink, followed by history and cultural activities, were the most booked Airbnb Experience categories for 2025,6 as Thai travelers prioritised local flavours, traditions and community-led activities over passive sightseeing.
“Thailand is well placed for the next phase of tourism growth, offering what many modern travellers increasingly look for – rich local culture, incredible food, diverse landscapes, and communities that welcome visitors into everyday life,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for Southeast Asia and India.
“What is especially interesting is the role millennials are playing in shaping these trends – they are driving demand for new destinations like Nagano and rediscovering cities such as Chiang Mai. Also, guests are now discovering Thailand through shorter, more frequent trips and through more creative types of stays. This helps spread tourism beyond traditional hotspots and peak seasons, creating opportunities for local hosts and businesses while giving travelers more meaningful, memorable journeys.”
1 Based on Airbnb internal data for domestic bookings of 1-2 day trips in Thailand in 2025 compared with 2023.
2 Based on Airbnb internal data for international bookings of 1-2 day trips by Thai guests in 2025 compared with 2023.
3 Based on Airbnb internal data of top trending destinations by Thai group travellers based on searches 2024 v 2025.
4 Based on Airbnb internal data of top trending destinations by Thai millennials based on searches 2024 v 2025.
5 Based on Airbnb internal data of top trending destinations by Korean families based on searches 2024 v 2025.
6 Based on Airbnb internal data of most booked Experience categories since May 13, 2025 by Thai travelers.
