By Prime Star 
Gallery of insights released by Expedia shows that Manila, Philippines now tops the charts for New Year travel among sun-seeking travellers in 2025.
Flight-search data indicate that trips departing between December 20 and January 2 to Manila climbed more than 40 % year-on-year.
The trend signals more than seasonal curiosity: a structural shift in luxury-holiday behaviour toward warm-weather, culturally rich destinations in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, warm locales have emerged among the most searched international destinations for the 2025 holiday season according to Google Flights data.
Manila’s festive season is increasingly drawing attention. Its light displays, urban design, easy access and luxury hospitality options make it attractive for travellers seeking both sun and celebration. For example, the city’s record of “Festival of Lights” events continues to be heavily featured in travel-content listings.
For operators in luxury hospitality and charter sectors this opens a new frontier. Firms that offer bespoke experiences in warm-weather destinations, with the capacity to pivot quickly and service high-end guests seeking novel holiday settings stand to gain.
Kamnaki Maria, Reservation Manager at DanEri Yachts, says:
“With Manila now ranked as the most-searched destination for holiday sun-seekers, luxury operators must adopt a destination-agnostic mindset. At DanEri Yachts we’re seeing charter clients opt for Asia-Pacific cruising itineraries in December and January more than ever. They want tropical escape, cultural richness and flawless logistics. Supply chains, crew readiness and local expertise determine who wins.”
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