Agoda unveils Pattaya as the top travel spot for thais during Songkran 2026. Home / NEWS / Agoda unveils Pattaya as the top travel spot for thais during Songkran 2026. March 27, 2026 Post Views: 1,426 Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Pattaya has emerged as the top domestic destination for Thai travelers during the upcoming Songkran festival, based on its platform accommodation searches. Following Pattaya, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai round out the top five destinations for domestic travel during the Thai New Year period, reflecting Thai travelers' preference for short-haul, easily accessible beach destinations during peak holiday periods. Pattaya's continued popularity can be attributed to its extended Songkran celebrations, including the famous Wan Lai festival which continue the celebrations until April 20. Renowned for its lively beachfront atmosphere, large-scale water fights, and rich cultural traditions, Wan Lai draws crowds long after the official Songkran period ends. This also highlights a tendency among Thai travelers to extend their holidays beyond official dates, helping them avoid peak travel congestion. Songkran, celebrated annually from April 13 to 15, marks the Thai New Year and remains one of the country's most cherished festivals. Blending playful water celebrations with meaningful traditions, it is a time when families reunite, people return to their hometowns, and communities mark the new year with both celebration and reflection. Regional Markets Drive International Travel for Songkran Songkran's appeal extends far beyond Thailand, drawing travelers from around the world to join the celebrations each year. Agoda's latest data shows that Malaysian travelers top the list of international visitors searching for stays in Thailand during the festive period, followed by India, South Korea, China, and Singapore, underscoring both Songkran and Thailand's strong regional appeal. Thailand's Major Cities Dominate International Songkran Travel Searches Among international travelers, Bangkok ranks as the top destination for Songkran, thanks to its wide array of celebrations that blend tradition with modern festivity. From large-scale events such as Siam Songkran Music Festival to cultural activities across the city, the capital offers something for every kind of traveler during the holiday period. Pattaya, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Chiang Mai follow in the rankings, rounding out the top five destinations most searched by international visitors on Agoda. Akaporn Rodkong, Country Director, Thailand and Indochina at Agoda, said "Songkran is a time when travel feels a little more meaningful, whether it's reconnecting with loved ones or discovering somewhere new. Pattaya's position at the top spot reflects how travelers are drawn to destinations that offer both energy and familiarity. At the same time, the growing interest from international visitors shows that Thailand's most joyful festival continues to capture attention well beyond its borders. Agoda is proud to support travelers in discovering these experiences with great value and ease." As travelers prepare for the Songkran holiday, Agoda's insights highlight how the festival continues to shape travel preferences, from familiar domestic favorites like Pattaya to culturally rich destinations across Thailand. With strong interest from both Thai and international travelers, Songkran remains a key regional and global moment for shared experiences and memorable journeys. Travelers planning their trips are encouraged to explore Agoda's great value across more than six million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 activities and experiences available on the platform. Running from 1 to 18 April, Agoda's Songkran campaign will offer an exclusive 10% discount on bookings made for stays between 1 April to 28 June. The latest offers can be found on the Agoda app or at agoda.com/deals.

Survey: India third in Asia for sustainable travel. Sustainability remain a priority for 90 percent of Indian travelers India ranks third in Asia for sustainable travel, with 88 percent of travelers factoring sustainability into their choices, according to Agoda. Photo credit: Agoda * Agoda: India ranks third in Asia for sustainable travel, with 88 percent of travellers considering it. * Sustainable travel will stay a priority for 90 percent of Indian travellers. * Sustainability now includes social and economic impact, not just environmental concerns. INDIA RANKS THIRD in Asia for prioritizing sustainable travel, with 88 percent of Indian travelers considering sustainability when choosing travel options this year, according to Agoda. This trend is expected to continue over the next three years as travelers focus on community benefits and nature preservation. Agoda's "2026 Sustainable Travel Survey" across eight Asian markets shows sustainability is central to travel decisions. Thailand leads with 95 percent, followed by Indonesia at 93 percent, India and Malaysia at 88 percent and Taiwan at 83 percent. "Indian travelers are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact their journeys have on destinations and communities," said Gaurav Malik, Agoda's country director for the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands, according to The CSR Universe. "We are seeing a shift from sustainability being viewed purely through an environmental lens to a broader understanding that includes supporting local economies, protecting cultural heritage and traveling more thoughtfully. At Agoda, initiatives such as our Eco Deals program make it easier for travelers to turn these intentions into action. They can enjoy value on their stays while contributing to wildlife conservation and habitat protection across destinations in Asia." The survey indicates continued momentum, with 90 percent of Indian respondents saying sustainable travel will remain important over the next three years. Findings show that sustainability now includes social and economic impact, not just environmental concerns. Indian travelers are prioritizing outcomes that benefit local communities, the report said. About 39 percent cited community impact as the most important outcome of sustainable travel, followed by preservation of natural landscapes and wildlife at 33 percent and building connections with destinations at 16 percent. The survey also shows demand for travel experiences that combine enjoyment with impact. About 35 percent of Indian travelers prefer tours that support environmental protection and local communities, while 31 percent choose programs that allow them to give back to nature. Interest in sustainable transport options at 18 percent and certified eco-friendly accommodation at 16 percent indicates a growing preference for end-to-end sustainable travel solutions. In terms of economic impact, more than half of respondents, 53 percent, believe responsibly managed tourism supports local businesses, while 16 percent see its role in preserving cultural heritage. Agoda's Eco Deals program, developed with World Wide Fund for Nature, allows travelers to support conservation. It offers discounts of up to 15 percent on stays until December 18 and donates USD 1 per booking to WWF projects in 10 markets. A report by London-based housing provider SilverDoor found that corporate travel is rising in tertiary Indian cities as businesses expand beyond major hubs. The Union Budget 2026-27 infrastructure investment and a U.S.-India trade agreement reducing reciprocal tariffs to 18 percent are expected to support further growth.

Cellulant hires former Agoda CFO to drive pan. Quick Links * News Cellulant taps ex-Agoda CFO as new finance chief in renewed pan-African push By Adonijah Ndege 18th Mar, 2026 Add us on Google Share One month after promoting a long-serving technology leader to head its tech team, Cellulant has appointed former Agoda CFO Darren Makarem as its new finance chief, adding to its executive bench as the pan-African payments company renews its growth plans. Makarem joins Cellulant from Agoda, the online travel giant, where, as Global CFO, he oversaw a payments network that managed over $12 billion in annual transaction volume. His experience in such a multi-currency settlement and high-uptime payment infrastructure gives him, as the company described, a rare "customer-side" understanding of the payments business. The hire follows the February appointment of Michael Muriuki as chief product and technology officer, seen as the fintech's effort to rebuild Cellulant's executive spine after a period marked by leadership exits and strategic recalibration. "Darren doesn't just understand the numbers; he understands the customer," Cellulant CEO Peter O'Toole told TechCabal. "He will leverage these insights to build a finance centre of excellence, ensuring our financial operations are as innovative, agile, and customer-centric as our products." Reset mode The executive reshuffle comes as Cellulant builds on strong operational momentum. The company, which processes over 4.5 million transactions daily, achieved profitability in 2024 and is positioning itself to capture a larger share of Africa's digital payments, projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030. Before Agoda, Makarem also held roles at Binance as regional CFO for APAC and LATAM, and most recently served as CEO of OnRamp, giving him exposure to digital assets and the evolving regulatory environment. Cellulant is betting that his background could prove useful as it experiments with alternative settlement rails and expands its cross-border payment business. "What excites me about Cellulant is the quality of what has already been built," Makarem told TechCabal. "My priority is to ensure the business has the financial discipline, insight, and operational support to move fast, stay bold, and keep delivering." With Makarem overseeing financial strategy and Muriuki responsible for product development and platform scalability, Cellulant has filled two executive roles as it seeks to deepen its presence across over 20 African markets and compete for enterprise clients against fintech rivals and banks developing in-house payment capabilities. [more-from-author] [read-next]