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Asia has claimed more than half of this summer’s most popular emerging travel destinations, according to fresh research from the Mastercard Economics Institute, marking a powerful resurgence for the region’s tourism sector and signaling several shifts in global travel preferences. With Tokyo and Osaka leading the global growth charts and several other Asian cities—such as Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Singapore—joining the ranks, the findings highlight evolving traveler motivations and economic influences shaping how and where people explore the world in 2025 (CNBC).

A Mastercard Economics Institute study shows Asia accounts for more than half of this summer’s top emerging destinations. Tokyo and Osaka lead global growth lists, with Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Singapore, and rising spots like Nha Trang and Fukuoka signaling a regional rebound. The findings reflect shifting traveler motivations and economic drivers that will influence 2025 travel choices and Thailand’s tourism strategy as neighbors attract more visitors.

For Thailand, the shift offers both opportunity and competition in a post-pandemic landscape. The Mastercard analysis reviewed flight bookings for 2024 and 2025, identifying the 15 hotspots with the strongest growth. Beyond Tokyo and Osaka, travelers are increasingly drawn to Asia’s “hidden gems,” including Vietnam’s Nha Trang and Japan’s Fukuoka. Data from Mastercard notes Tokyo’s continued lure for value-driven travelers seeking culture and affordability, reinforcing Japan’s position as a travel powerhouse.