Siquijor Island has emerged as the fastest growing destination for attracting international travelers visiting the Philippines, according to digital travel platform Agoda. The travel platform’s New Horizons list further reveals Bohol to be the top trending destination for Filipino domestic travelers and Hanoi, Vietnam to be emerging among Filipinos traveling abroad.

Agoda’s New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in both domestic and international travel.

Siquijor Island is a hidden gem located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines with growing appeal for international travelers, particularly from China, South Korea, the United States, Australia, and Germany. Known for its mystical reputation, pristine beaches and lush natural beauty, the island sets itself apart from its more widely known counterparts like Boracay, Siargao and Palawan. Travelers can experience the island’s unique healing therapies and local shamanic practices, including during the annual Healing Festival held during Holy Week, or enjoy its many white sand beaches, dramatic sunset views, enchanting caves and waterfalls, and breathtaking coral reefs and marine life.

Meanwhile Bohol, also located in the Central Visayas region, is gaining popularity among domestic travelers. Known for its stunning natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife, Bohol offers a blend of adventure and relaxation. Travelers can marvel at the iconic landscape of the Chocolate Hills, enjoy the beaches in Panglao, cruise along the Loboc River, and encounter the island’s tarsiers, one of the world’s smallest primates.

For Filipino travelers traveling abroad, Hanoi is rising in popularity. With the first direct air route between Vietnam and Philippines launched earlier this year as well as increased flight routes between Manila and Hanoi, Filipinos can enjoy increased connectivity when traveling to Vietnam. Hanoi’s historic landmarks, colonial architecture and thriving food scene offers a unique blend of the traditional and modern. Rising interest from Filipino travelers offers a positive uptick for tourism in Hanoi following the floods and typhoons in Northern Vietnam this year.

Michael Hwang, Country Director Philippines at Agoda said, “The rising popularity of Siquijor and Bohol opens up new horizons for travelers to experience the charm of the Philippines’ lesser-known destinations. Agoda is proud to support efforts to promote these secondary destinations. It’s exciting to also see Filipino travelers showing more interest in Hanoi, especially with the increased flight connectivity in Vietnam. Wherever their journey takes them in 2025, Agoda is committed to helping travelers see the world for less.”

Looking at the top emerging destinations for Asian travelers combined, it is Shanghai that tops the New Horizons list. The Chinese metropolis is followed by Jeju (South Korea), Paris (France), Nha Trang (Vietnam), and Fukuoka (Japan).   Travelers preparing for their travel plans for 2025 are encouraged to check out Agoda’s great value deals on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform.

We have cows, yes, but steak isn’t a Pinoy staple food. We’re more bound to use those beef cuts for nilaga (boil), or kaldereta or menudo than grill/pan-fry/broil them. And so yeah… grabbing steaks isn’t a “usual” activity of many, and so it’s also not that easy for many of us to discern not-bad yet not-too-expensive steak houses.

@outragemag Out on an #LGBT date? @escobarsphilippines means pila and waiting = affordable #steak ♬ original sound – outragemag

Here’s a kicker: Too many vloggers recommend this or that place, claiming this or that’s the best (in the Philippines, or the world, or… ever). And yet they end up obfuscating our choice because too many of them were fed for free, or were paid to say good things even if what they ate is s.h.i.t.

And so here we are, checking Escobar’s in Quezon City.

And let’s be blunt here.

1. The branch we went to was small (after checking another one that was similarly small). So expect a queue… a long queue when you get there, particularly during peak hours (which would be basically when you need to eat). You can actually pre-order stuff, but anything ordered will still only be prepared when you’re already seated.
2. Ambiance? This is a busy place – e.g. singing a “happy birthday” for a client in one table actually ends up as a singalong for the entire venue. And so this place isn’t ideal for romantic dates or something… more for families (that’s if you can get a table for a big party), or tropa, or to eat out with someone you’ve already been involved with for some time (that is, not necessarily in need to pa-cute in a private space anymore).
3. The staff’s “present”. I dropped a fork, and before I can say “ate”, a replacement was provided. But then again this is to be expected since the place is quite small; meaning, too, that while the staff do not mean to be intrusive, they’re everywhere all the time.
4. The food, the food… is not bad. Salad sells for ₱210, but you really just get pepino, kamatis, olives, and carrots. At least fresh. And the vinaigrette is tasty. The pasta is similarly malasa, and you can tell na di tinipid sa sahog. As for the steaks, they’re well-seasoned (thankfully). And considering that some of them sell for around ₱500 lang, they’re actually not (too) thin. If you don’t want to be served with pre-slices steak pala, inform the staff when you order (I personally abhor when the mantika of sliced steak starts to ‘sleep’ na since grasa isn’t yummy for me).

Babalikan? Yeah, why not. But for those who’d visit, habaan ang pasensiya. Muni-muni rin: Is this steak worth wasting my time in the queue? Only you can answer that after assessing if tiis-pila is worth at Escobar’s.

Escobar’s – with the bar visited located at 42 Sgt. Esguerra Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila – is open from 10AM to 12AM. For more information, visit their website (https://escobarsphilippines.com/).

Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its 2025 Travel Trends survey, highlighting the key factors set to shape the travel landscape in Asia in the coming year. The survey reveals a strong focus on relaxation, family-oriented trips, and the excitement of discovering new destinations as primary motivations for travelers.

Agoda’s findings indicate that travelers are prioritizing quality time with loved ones and seeking respite from daily routines. The survey also underscores the growing interest in exploring uncharted territories. Noteworthy is the popularity of theme parks, with one in eight respondents expecting to go on a trip to visit one.

Ittai Chorev, Chief Product Officer at Agoda, said: “At Agoda, we love seeing how travelers are planning their adventures for 2025. Whether it’s unwinding with family or exploring new places, we’re here to make every traveler’s dream trip memorable and are ready to help them every step of the way.”

Seven key insights from Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trends survey:

1. The more the merrier: Traveling with family tops the list
   For many travellers, family time equals quality time. More than a third of Filipino travelers (364%) plan to travel with family in 2025. Indonesians are the most fervent family travelers of all, with no less than 58% expecting to go on a multi-generational trip with loved ones. Family travelers (34%) are followed by couples (23%), and solo travelers (199%) in terms of most popular travel groupings across Asian travellers.

• Easy does it: Relaxation is the top travel motivation, by far
  Escaping from the hustle and bustle of daily life is by far the most important reason to travel, according to the survey. 75% of respondents cited relaxation as their most important travel motivation. Singaporeans desire relaxation the most (87%). While in the Philippines , adventure and activities follow in second (48%), with visiting family and friends in third (45%).

• Computer says ‘yes’: Tech assisting in travel planning
  Technology is playing a pivotal role in shaping travel plans. A substantial majority of Filipino travelers (870%) plan to use travel apps, while about one in eight (14%) are interested in virtual reality tours. Indian travelers appear to be most tech-savvy, with nine out of ten respondents claiming the use of travel apps when booking a trip.

• Travel For Less: Journey more, spend smart 
  Budget considerations remain a key factor among Filipinos, with a significant portion of travelers (74%) planning to spend less than $250 per night on accommodation.  But price is not a barrier to international travel -88% of travelers expect to take the same number of trips or more compared to 2024, with most of those journeys crossing borders (52%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, travelers from Hong Kong expect to travel internationally the most (82%). More than a quarter of respondents (27%) plan to travel both domestically and internationally.

• In and Out of Office: Traveling on and off the clock
  In addition to traditional business trips, which 23% of Filipino respondents expect to embark on, the survey also picked up on the emergence of digital nomads, borderless workers who work remotely. 1 in 25 expects to work remotely in 2025, with a focus on combining work and leisure, as more companies adopt flexible work arrangements. Most prospective digital nomads in the region are from the Philippines, where one in fourteen travelers expect to work while traveling.

• #Inspiration: Many ways to discover new destinations
  There’s nothing quite as exciting as exploring a place for the very first time. 84% of travelers expect to visit new destinations in 2025. Travel inspiration can come from many sources including personal interests and hobbies (70%), great value deals (37%), and recommendations from friends and family (34%). One in five (23%) gets their travel inspiration from social media, with Malaysians and Indonesians most inspired by Instagram and the likes (both at 29%).

• Life is a rollercoaster: Theme Parks are a reason to travel
  Asia’s many theme parks – Disney in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Lotte World in Seoul, Universal in Osaka and Singapore, Ferrari World in Abu Dabhi, to name a few – are a major draw for year-round tourism. Over one in eight travelers (13%) expect to travel specifically to visit a theme park in 2025. Indonesians seem most excited by the prospects of rollercoasters and amusement, with one in five expecting to travel for theme parks.

Agoda’s offerings, including over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, provide travelers with the flexibility to tailor their trips to their unique interests and preferences. For more information and to take advantage of the latest deals, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda app.