Asians wishing for an exotic Christmas

HONG KONG - Asians are found to be least willing to spend Christmas at home, according to the latest global survey from Hotels.com. Almost a third of the Asian interviewees (32%) chose to celebrate Christmas away from their home countries, while less than one-fifth of those in Europe (17%), North America (9%) and Latin America (20%) chose to travel abroad during the festive holiday.

The study, which looks into Christmas holiday habits across 28 different countries worldwide, explores the meaning of Christmas in different nations and what festive elements matter the most to them. Although Western countries have a longer Christmas holiday, their inhabitants prefer spending it at home with family and friends. In contrast, people from Asian countries would rather take a holiday escape, with 75% of Chinese interviewees leading all those who plan to travel abroad during Christmas, followed by Indians (67%) and Hongkongers (54%), who come second and third respectively.

In Hong Kong, a third of those interviewed chose to travel abroad as to spend some quality time with their family (29%), while 24% of them want to experience Christmas elsewhere. It may give some clues to their Christmas wishes – having an exotic and heart-warming Christmas with their beloved family.

Asian countries least willing to stay at home during Christmas:
Rank

Country

% Vote

1

China

74%

2

India

67%

3

Hong Kong

54%

4

Singapore

51%

5

Korea

46%

The study also reveals some of the Hongkongers’ favourite Christmas elements, where Christmas tree tops the list, explaining why Hong Kong people are always enthusiastic about public displays of festively adorned Christmas trees.

Hongkongers’ favourite Christmas elements:
Rank

Traditional Christmas Elements

% Vote

 

Other Options

% Vote

1

Christmas Tree

85%

vs.

Palm Tree

15%

2

Family

73%

Freedom

27%

3

Presents

67%

Travelling to Paris

33%

4

Skiing

64%

Sun and beach

36%

5

Egg Nog

45%

Water

55%

Moreover, the study also reveals that Hongkongers are the most carefree travellers, with 43% of them saying that they would not miss anything while travelling abroad. Closely behind Hong Kong are Korea in the second place with 38% of the nation claiming that they miss nothing on holiday, and Singapore in the third place with 36%.

In comparison, 50% of Thais admit that they miss their family the most while travelling abroad. Surprisingly, one-third of the Chinese interviewees also admit that they miss their family the most on holiday, despite their reluctance to celebrate Christmas at home. This points to a split sentiment where the Chinese cherish their family a lot, but at the same time, they enjoy some freedom on holiday.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia