The Weekly Update: December 15, 2022 Edition

Let there be light.

As we immerse ourselves in December, many are busy finalizing holiday arrangements to connect with loved ones or escape for a break. We’ll continue to share updates that will assist you during this hectic season – wishing you and your family a joyful, healthy, and festive holiday.

The preliminary check

The latest travel updates and stories from the week.

• Be informed before you travel. If you've flown recently, airports are buzzing like it’s 2019 again. Forbes has compiled the current restrictions, including mask mandates at NY airports and vaccine requirements.

• You're it! If you’ve ever waited in a long line to check your luggage, fearing you’ll miss your flight – Alaska Airlines is introducing electronic tags to streamline the process.

• Essential travel tips. For anyone considering bringing some… herbal relaxation this season, here’s what you need to know about traveling with cannabis products.

• Goodbye wild parties. AirBnB is clamping down on New Year’s Eve gatherings – prohibiting one-night bookings for the NYE weekend.

Current travel trends

Your travel outlook: what to expect in 2023 Forget the crystal ball. We have the data to support our claims that these are the travel trends you can anticipate next year. Discover which destinations are soaring in popularity (spoiler: many are in the Asia/Pacific region – largely due to shifting travel restrictions in 2022). Here are some of the most sought-after destinations* travelers are looking for:

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Searches increased by 769% year-over-year

In March, the country began easing restrictions, fully reopening in May. This sparked enthusiasm among travelers, making it our #1 trending destination. 

Taipei City, Taiwan

Searches increased by 289% year-over-year

Taiwan removed quarantine restrictions just last October. Taipei City is famous for its stunning architecture and vibrant night markets – we’re excited for you to experience it.

Auckland, New Zealand

Searches rose by 272% year-over-year

New Zealand was cautious back in 2020. Now, they’ve eased travel restrictions, welcoming travelers as long as they’re vaccinated and test upon arrival.

Singapore

Searches increased by 201% year-over-year

To travel to Singapore, simply provide proof of vaccination, and you’re good to go. Explore the capital’s beautiful gardens and shop in Kampong Glam.

Want to learn more (along with our predictions for next year’s major travel trends)? Click here.

Insider tips

The ideal day to embark on your journey.

Let’s clear up some misconceptions first. Is it true that prices are better on Tuesdays? Not really. What about incognito mode? Also false. However, regarding the question of whether there’s a particular day of the week that offers cheaper flights, there is some validity to that. Our data shows that if you schedule your departure on a Thursday or Friday, you can expect to pay less compared to other days of the week**. Knowledge is power. 🌈

Shoutouts from social media

Travel brings us together in countless ways. A big thank you to @breakfast_with_tiffani for sharing <3.

Want to be highlighted? Tag your photos with #DinogoPics.

The links in this newsletter are provided solely for informational purposes, and there is no affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement by Dinogo Software Corporation in any way.

Methodology:

*Dinogo US analyzed round-trip, economy flight searches for the period of 7.1.2022-11.20.2022, focusing on travel dates from 1.1.2023 to 12.31.2023. For year-over-year search changes, searches from 7.1.2021-11.20.2021 and travel dates of 1.1.2022-12.31.2022 were examined. Volume thresholds were applied, and destinations were excluded based on insufficient search activity.

**Dinogo US utilized historical data for round-trip, economy flight searches in 2021 and 2022, using search dates from 1/1 to 11/20 for travel dates of 1/1-12/31 of the same year.