More Filipinos are planning to travel in the Christmas months, a survey showed, reflecting how leisure trips are resuming with the unwinding of months-long COVID restrictions.
Around 3 out of 10 Filipinos or 28% plan to travel in the next three months, higher than the 22% in September, the October survey of comparison website Finder showed. The timeline fits into the peak Christmas months that stretch until January in the Philippines.
The October data marked the first time since July that travel plans increased. Metro Manila was placed under lockdown in August due to the Delta surge.
“Fewer COVID-19 cases were reported in the capital towards the end of September. Couple that with the easing of lockdown restrictions and the increased interest in travel isn't surprising," Finder.com’s global editor-at-large Angus Kidman said.
Of those who have travel plans, 20% plan to explore locally while 12% are looking to fly overseas.
The Philippines was among 12 countries surveyed for travel plans, which included Singapore, Canada, U.S., and Malaysia among others. Finder polled some 200,000 respondents.
While more Filipinos have shown interest in travel again, Finder said the figure was still "much lower" than in 2020, with around 35% to 43% of Filipinos planning to travel then.
The Philippines has been easing COVID-19 restrictions since late September, with children being allowed to go out in November and more industries allowed to operate such as cinemas.
Tourist spots have also eased requirements for fully vaccinated travelers with the likes of Baguio City dropping COVID-19 tests.
MORE ON TRAVEL:
Baguio Reopens to Fully Vaccinated Tourists, Here are the Rules
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How to Apply for VaxCertPH Vaccine Certificate for Local Travel
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