Indonesians look further afield for post-Ramadan breaks

Indonesians are changing the way they spend their Lebaran (post-Ramadan) holiday breaks this year, with more people foregoing the traditional home-coming in favour of holidays further afield.

According to a study of online booking data on Indonesian travel search site, Wego.co.id, the annual exodus prior to Idul Fitri festivities is now seeing Indonesians search for and book a far wider range of destinations – 165 in total compared to 69 at this time in 2011. Hotel searches have almost tripled on Wego.co.id for the period immediately following Ramadan, this year from 17-26 August.

Singapore accommodation searches have risen from quarter last year to a third of the total for the holiday period. Hong Kong has jumped from 11 to 15% of searches, well ahead of mainland China (4%), while Thailand has maintained its 11% share. Bangkok accounted for 5% of searches, followed by Phuket (3%). Indonesians are also looking at Kuala Lumpur (8%) and Macau (7%)

Wego noted that in 2011 Bali accounted for two-thirds of domestic hotel searches, but this year the island’s share has shrunk to 52% and other destinations are on the rise. In 2012, the post-Ramadan crowds are choosing the cooler climate of Bandung (10%) or Yogyakarta (9%). Lombok, Surabaya and Malang, close to Balekambang beaches, are also achieving a 2-3% of searches.

Graham Hills, Managing Director of Wego Indonesia explained; “With greater access to travel information online, Indonesians are becoming more informed about where they can holiday and how much it will cost. They are finding affordable options in better hotel categories. It is encouraging them to take the opportunity to enjoy the comfort and service these properties provide.”

Flight searches are proving similarly diverse. While two-thirds of Wego’s users intend to fly out of Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta airport, the second most popular port of departure is Balikpapan, on the island of Borneo, which outnumbered more populous Surabaya. Batam and Medan were fourth and fifth.

Garuda Indonesia is receiving a quarter of flight bookings on wego.co.id, followed by Lion Air (20%) and AirAsia (19%) and Malaysia Airlines (9%). 

By Mark Elliott, 16 July 2012, Monday 6:13 AM