Singaporeans have emerged as Asia Pacific’s most cost-conscious travellers, according to Klook‘s Travel Pulse 2026 survey, though financial caution isn’t stopping them from booking trips — it’s changing how they plan them.

71% of Singaporean respondents named financial concerns their biggest barrier to travel confidence, the highest in the region ahead of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Yet 80% said they had adjusted their travel plans this year rather than cancelling them, with 47% actively hunting for deals and 46% booking earlier to lock in prices.

“Cost-consciousness is changing how Singaporeans travel, not whether they travel,” said Sarah Wan, General Manager of Klook Singapore. “They’re travelling smarter, not less.”

Where demand is shifting

Japan remains the top destination for a second consecutive year, with demand up nearly 20% year-on-year, while interest is broadening beyond Tokyo and Osaka to cities like Sapporo and Fukuoka. Mainland China bookings roughly doubled year-on-year, led by Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and Vietnam’s demand grew more than 50%, anchored by Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Overcrowding as a dealbreaker

Beyond cost, 66% of respondents said overcrowding significantly shapes destination choice, pushing travellers toward secondary cities that offer a similar experience with fewer crowds.