Filipinos among key drivers of animé-inspired tourism

The Philippines has emerged as a vital market for animé-inspired travel in 2026, according to data. 

Based on Trip.com searches for anime- and comic-related travel in 2026, the Philippines showed a 155% year-on-year increase this year. Filipino travelers searched for animé conventions, themed stays, and screen-inspired destinations. 

Across Asia, searches for "animé pilgrimages", or seichi junrei, surged to 195%. Aside from the Philippines, the most keen travelers have, so far, been from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and South Korea.

Demonstrating the high interest, Trip.com's international ticket sales jumped 697% YoY for AnimeJapan 2026, which took place in Tokyo from March 28 to 29, 2026.  Majority of the Asian bookings came from the Philippines, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. In total, the event racked up trip bookings from 82 countries and regions, with Asians dominating the count. 

Millennials and Gen Z travelers aged between 25 and 34 were responsible for over half of ticket purchases. 

AnimeJapan 2026 was not the only convention that fetched huge booking sales. Based on Trip.com's latest data, Hong Kong Comic Con 2026, which will take place from May 29 to 31, and Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026, from May 30 to 31, have triggered a surge of searches and bookings, as well. Around the period of these conventions, data shows a rush of hotel reservations within three kilometers of the animé festival venues. 

Multi-generational appeal 

A report by animé streaming platform Crunchyroll describes animé as "a defining cultural touchstone for Gen Z" but also underscores its multi-generational pull. According to the platform, Gen Z fans see animé on equal footing with the world's most famous icons, including LeBron James, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and BTS. Additionally, just over half of millennials, plus 54% of Gen X fans, have been following animé for more than a decade. The love for animé is even passed down to the next generation—25% of millennial fans and almost a third of Gen X followers have reported sharing their interest with their children. 

The report cited fans describing anime "as something that speaks directly to them regardless of generation—more than any other genre."

Streaming sites and social media help push the popularity. With Filipinos among the world's top users of social media, the Philippines has become one of Southeast Asia's strongest animé fan communities, sharing the distinction with markets in Thailand and Indonesia.