There apparently is no place like Manila when it comes to Filipinos welcoming the New Year.
According to 2019 booking data from online travel booking platform Agoda, Filipino travelers, for the fourth year running, have flocked to (perhaps many stayed in) the capital city to usher in the New Year—which, based on those data, could happen again as we welcome the new decade.
It helps that several bars and restaurants across Manila annually prepare fun and festive countdown parties where families and friends can celebrate, if not at home.
Following Manila is the Queen City of the South, Cebu.
Have you seen many Facebook friends celebrating the holidays in Japan during the winter season? Well, data reveal Tokyo is the top overseas destination of Filipinos ringing in the New Year, taking the third overall spot. Tokyo has also maintained its top spot in the Asia Pacific region.
Back to the Philippines, Boracay has returned to the ranking—after a hiatus due to its rehabilitation—at number 4, from number 9 in 2018. While the second top overseas destination Taipei in Taiwan has taken the fifth spot.
Rounding up Filipinos’ top 2019 New Year’s Eve destinations are Tagaytay, Osaka, Baguio, Hong Kong, and Subic—showing that not many travelers from the Philippines venture farther away from home.
Meanwhile, in Asia Pacific, following Tokyo as the favorite destination for New Year’s Eve is Taipei, knocking last year’s number 2 Bangkok into third place.
Thailand, however, has the most destinations for New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Asia Pacific region, with three of its bustling cities featured in the rankings (Bangkok at number 3, Chiang Mai at number 7, and Pattaya at number 10).
Manila has made an entrance at number 6. Osaka (4th), Seoul (5th), Bali (8th), and Kuala Lumpur (9th) comprise the list.
In Europe, Paris and London have both held on to their spots as the two most popular destinations, while Rome has leapfrogged Barcelona to take the third most popular destination title in 2019.
The top climber in the European rankings this year is Milan, which with its free New Year’s Eve shows, traditional fireworks displays, and buzzing nightlife has moved up three places to become the seventh most popular New Year’s Eve destination.
This year, in North America, the party city of Las Vegas has edged out New York as the number one New Year’s Eve destination.
Meanwhile, similar to last year, the City of Angels Los Angeles has remained the third most popular destination to ring in the New Year. Hawaii’s Honolulu has entered the list for the first time this year, coming in strong at the fourth rank with its beaches, lively parties, and rich culture.
