FILIPINOS are flying to local destinations as well as abroad for this All Saints Day/All Souls Day (Undas) weekend.
This leaves Metro Manila hotels with less bookings, even for staycations, according to the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA). Its president Loleth So told the BusinessMirror: ‘For the Undas long weekend, most city hotels are experiencing moderate occupancy [50-60 percent], as many families and travelers have opted to spend the break in nearby destinations rather than stay within the metro.’
According to AirAsia MOVE data, among those who booked flights from October 30 to November 2, at least 81 percent are traveling domestically, while 19 percent are heading abroad. The data includes other carriers available for booking on the online travel agency, and not just that of AirAsia.
FILIPINOS are flying to local destinations as well as abroad for this All Saints Day/All Souls Day (Undas) weekend.
This leaves Metro Manila hotels with less bookings, even for staycations, according to the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA). Its president Loleth So told the BusinessMirror: ‘For the Undas long weekend, most city hotels are experiencing moderate occupancy [50-60 percent], as many families and travelers have opted to spend the break in nearby destinations rather than stay within the metro.’
According to AirAsia MOVE data, among those who booked flights from October 30 to November 2, at least 81 percent are traveling domestically, while 19 percent are heading abroad. The data includes other carriers available for booking on the online travel agency, and not just that of AirAsia.
Meanwhile, HSMA’s So said that leisure destinations within driving distance from Manila, particularly Batangas, Tagaytay, Subic, and Clark, are enjoying slightly higher occupancies, ‘with some resorts reporting near-full bookings since mid-week.’
She noted that compared to last year’s Undas period, ‘this year is marginally better, reflecting a steadier travel sentiment and consistent weekend movement, although the holiday’s proximity to payday weekends also played a role in driving short-stay bookings.’
She said the market remains largely locals, ‘with many travelers favoring quick getaways over extended vacations, which is typical for the All Saints’ Day period.’
For those taking flights, AirAsia MOVE said most Filipinos booked two to four weeks before their intended departure, with nearly 34 percent finalizing plans 15 to 30 days before leaving. The peak travel date is October 30, a day earlier than the official long weekend.
1.3M to pass through Naia
The online booking platform also said 49 percent of travelers ‘booked a three to four-day trip duration, while 21 percent opted for five to six days, indicating that many Filipinos combined remembrance with rest and short vacations.’
AirAsia MOVE is a one-stop app for flights, hotels, and experiences that connect travelers across Asean and beyond.
As this developed, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assured the public that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is fully prepared for the projected surge of passengers this Undas break.
In a separate news statement, MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines said, ‘With the joint efforts of Department of Transportation, MIAA, and New Naia Infrastructure Corp., we are ready to make travel safe, smooth, and convenient for all passengers this Undas. Our goal is to deliver a world-class airport experience even during the busiest days of the year.’
NNIC has projected more than 1.3 million passengers passing through the three terminals of Naia from October 27 to November 5, averaging about 135,000 to 140,000 passengers daily. To manage the influx, the government has activated Oplan Undas 2025, which calls for the deployment of additional staff for passenger assistance, security screening, and crowd management.
Ines added they have strengthened the coordination with airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and other government agencies ‘to maintain efficient terminal operations and on-time flights.’
Passengers are reminded to arrive early three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures and ‘to pack smart by avoiding prohibited items,’ such as power banks, which should be hand carried.