9 January 2019 – With the New Year comes fresh opportunities to explore and travel more, try different things, and generally just push yourself to go out of your comfort zone.
So what are Filipinos looking forward to doing in 2019? Digital travel company Agoda commissioned a study to find out how Pinoys aim to achieve that #NewYearNewMe goal.
Overall, self-improvement activities top the travel agenda this year, with learning a new language, learning a new cuisine and self-care retreats rounding off the top three.
However, there were differences in preference of Pinoy men and women when it comes to their bucket list items and what different age groups feel like doing in 2019.
Women aged 18 to 29 cited trying a new sport as their top bucket list item while males of the same age group put learning a new language as their top priority. For the men, this was closely followed by being able to participate or even to just watch an international sporting event.
Meanwhile, for Filipinos in their 40s, going on a digital detox was the top answer. Considering how people today are spending more time than ever on their electronic devices, this says a lot about the generation approaching their midlife and their desire to disconnect during their travel.
Go out and study a new language
As traveling the world has become a serious priority for people these days, it doesn’t come as a surprise that 52% of those surveyed said that they want to learn a second (maybe even third) language. Whether you are an aspiring polyglot or looking to pick up basic language skills to be a savvier traveler, it pays to be able to speak the native tongue of the country you’re visiting.
Head to Barcelona to brush up on the world’s second most spoken language
Connect with the locals and practice Spanish in a more organic setting. Stay in an Agoda Home like the Barcelona Apartment Val, where you can interact with neighbors and local business owners on a daily basis. In addition, the apartment also comes with convenient access to the city’s main tourist attractions.
Discover new dishes to whip up in the kitchen
Cooking can be therapeutic and learning to cook local food can be a good way to experience the culture of a city. 14% of respondents chose learning to prepare a new cuisine as the number one choice for their 2019 travels.
Learn from the best culinary schools in Paris
With some of the best culinary institutes like Le Cordon Bleu in the City of Lights, you’ll not only be able to learn a new dish, but be exposed to cooking in a professional kitchen environment – like a real chef! Sign up for a cooking class at the start of your trip and you’ll be able to better appreciate the local gastronomy during the rest of your stay.
While there, practice the new recipes in your repertoire at this cozy apartment with its bright, open concept kitchen that’s sure to make you feel at home.
Treat yourself
Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being. Choosing to indulge in self-care while on vacation can be rejuvenating for both the mind and the body. From meditation retreats, yoga courses to spa holidays, there is plenty for the global traveler to do to revitalize their soul.
Soak in the goodness at Australia’s mineral springs
Hepburn Springs is a resort town in Victoria with the largest concentration of mineral springs in Australia. Recharge in these natural waters at the iconic Hepburn Bathhouse and stay close by at Saltus in Spring, where you can also pamper yourself with a luxurious day spa treatment.
Here’s a quick look at the top three bucket list items for Filipinos across different age and gender demographics:
Travel Bucket List for Pinays
Travel Bucket List for Pinoy Men
What about you? What’s on your travel experience bucket list for 2019?
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About Agoda
Agoda is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has grown to offer a global network of 2 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes, and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 3,700 staff across 53 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.
