Traveler trends in 2023 : Value as the key preference determinant

AirAsia MOVE (formerly Airasia Superapp) reveals travelers’ trends across the region, with “value” emerging as the most crucial factor determining its app users’ preferences and loyalty.

“The traveler trends we have observed throughout the year is in line with AirAsia MOVE’s commitment to create an inclusive and affordable travel ecosystem for everyone. We would like to thank all of our loyal users who have been with us throughout this journey. By understanding users’ behaviors, we’re further motivated to continue innovating and enhancing AirAsia MOVE in the coming year, and creating a community that elevates user travel experiences while simultaneously offering the best value that is accessible for everyone on one convenient platform,” said Nadia Omer, chief executive officer of AirAsia MOVE.

Final week of each month marks the peak period of flight bookings

Based on users’ transaction behaviors on Airasia MOVE, peak days for flight bookings for airlines of all categories available on the app are towards payday and the final week of the month.

Among the top destinations booked throughout 2023 are Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, and Manila in the Philippines, with over 30 percent app users searching for those destinations combined.

Currently, AirAsia MOVE offers flights from AirAsia, a low-cost airline and 700 other carriers globally with notable names such as Turkish Airlines, Etihad, ANA, KLM, Air Arabia, Air New Zealand, Citilink, Bangkok Airways, Royal Brunei, Vietnam Airlines and Jeju Air.

Travelers prefer best-value accommodations

Seventy-four percent of AirAsia MOVE users chose hotels ranging from P3,000 to P4,800, with Resorts World Group, Ibis and Favehotel being some of the top selections of travelers regionally. In the Philippines, most bookings were made with Henann Group, Lime Hotels and Resorts and Chroma Hospitality Group. Interestingly, majority of hotel bookings were made approximately 30 days before arrival while flight bookings were made much earlier.

2.3 billion AirAsia points redeemed in 2023

Value evidently remains as one of the determining factors for user loyalty in the travel sector. In addition to promo, AirAsia MOVE users often take advantage of the benefits from the AirAsia rewards loyalty program. Trends among AirAsia MOVE users indicate more than 40 percent increase of AirAsia members in 2023 compared to 2022. Overall, members have redeemed up to 2.3 billion AirAsia points to transact across the whole ecosystem across AirAsia MOVE.

As we gear up into 2024, customers can expect an improved app experience, as well as exciting and innovative products such as a refreshed flight subscription plan, better deals on flights, hotels and more.