Chiang Mai is up 84%: Asia-Pacific travellers are spreading out — and Japan took 11 of the world's top 12 autumn foliage spots

Asia-Pacific travellers are exploring beyond the usual capitals this autumn. New Trip.com Group booking data shows Chiang Mai leading the region's city growth at 84.3% year on year, followed by Surabaya (+63.1%), Busan (+62.7%), Manila (+55.1%) and Jakarta (+38.1%) — with demand concentrated in affordable, short-haul trips to a wider range of destinations. South Korea's appeal spread beyond Seoul, with Busan up 62.7% and Jeju City up 31.4%. And in Trip.Best's 2026 ranking of the world's top 50 autumn foliage attractions, Japan claimed 11 of the top 12 places, led by Kyoto's Arashiyama.

SDG 8 · Decent work and economic growth — Mechanism: market force