Tokyo, Paris and New York City are the top destinations to ring in 2019 according to Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing online travel agents (OTA), with more than a third more people opting to getaway to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.
For Australians Tokyo has jumped up the ranking to second place in 2018 from sixth place last year. A top ten New Year’s Eve destination for many markets globally, Tokyo’s appeal continues with a jam-packed itinerary of concerts, parades and light shows making it the perfect destination to cast off the old and welcome in the New Year.
Thailand is the most popular international destination for Australians traveling this year-end with Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya all making an appearance in the top ten. Aussies staying closer to home this upcoming new-year will likely be headed to Sydney, the Gold Coast or Melbourne.
It’s no wonder Paris, boasting endless themed parties, New Year countdowns at popular landmarks and shows for the whole family, has secured the top spot for New Year’s Eve travel in Europe. The ‘City of Love’ is a top ten for their British neighbors as well as travelers from Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The ball drop at Times Square in New York City, is one of the most iconic and star-driven celebrations of NYE in the world, so it comes as no surprise that New York City is the top North American destination for travelers globally and number two for Americans traveling domestically for NYE.
Agoda’s Top 2018 NYE Destinations (31 December 2018)
| Asia | Europe | North America | |
| 1 | Tokyo | Paris | New York City (NY) |
| 2 | Bangkok | London | Las Vegas (NV) |
| 3 | Taipei | Barcelona | Los Angeles (CA) |
| 4 | Seoul | Rome | Orlando (FL) |
| 5 | Osaka | Berlin | Oahu (HI) |
| 6 | Pattaya | Amsterdam | San Francisco (CA) |
| 7 | Taichung | Istanbul | Chicago (IL) |
| 8 | Hong Kong | Prague | New Orleans (LA) |
| 9 | Bali | Madrid | Miami (FL) |
| 10 | Chiang Mai | Milan | Toronto |
Agoda’s New Year’s Eve travel data Australia
- Thailand is the most popular international destination for Australians traveling this year-end with Bangkok (#4), Phuket (#7) and Pattaya (#9) all making an appearance in the top ten.
- Tokyo has jumped up the ranking to second place in 2018 from sixth place last year.
- Unsurprisingly, Aussie’s love affair with Bali continues into 2019 with the island holding the number one overall destination spot again this year.
- Aussies staying closer to home this upcoming new year will likely be headed to Sydney (#3), Gold Coast (#5) or Melbourne (#6).
Agoda’s Top 2018 New Year’s Eve Destinations for Australian Travelers (31 December 2018)
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| 1 | Bali | Bali | Bali |
| 2 | Sydney | Melbourne | Tokyo |
| 3 | Melbourne | Sydney | Sydney |
| 4 | Gold Coast | Bangkok | Melbourne |
| 5 | Bangkok | Gold Coast | Bangkok |
| 6 | Phuket | Tokyo | Gold Coast |
| 7 | Tokyo | Brisbane | Phuket |
| 8 | Brisbane | Phuket | Singapore |
| 9 | Pattaya | Pattaya | Pattaya |
| 10 | Singapore | Singapore | Osaka |
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