The fifth edition of the popular festival returned with a lively Flee Market concept, interactive destination zones, cultural activities and attractive holiday deals.
For a few hours on October 17, I found myself travelling from Japan to China, hopping across Southeast Asia and ending up in Australia — all without leaving Singapore.
The journey unfolded at Suntec City’s Atrium, where the fifth edition of Klook Travel Fest transformed the familiar shopping space into a colourful marketplace of travel experiences, cultural discoveries and holiday bargains.
Returning after a one-year hiatus, the two-day event on October 17 and 18 introduced a refreshing concept called the Klook Flee Market, inspired by the bustling street markets and neighbourhood bazaars travellers encounter overseas.
Instead of the conventional travel fair dominated by brochures and booking counters, this edition encouraged visitors to explore destinations through interactive displays, games, cultural activities and personalised recommendations.
The organisers expected about 20,000 visitors over the weekend.
The timing was significant. According to Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 survey, 71 per cent of Singapore respondents cited financial concerns as their biggest obstacle to travel, although eight in 10 intended to continue travelling.
Nearly half looked for discounts, while 46 per cent preferred early bookings to secure better prices.
Sarah Wan, Klook’s general manager for Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, said the festival was designed to capture the excitement of discovering new places.
“There is no one way to travel, and the excitement of a trip often begins well before we arrive at our destination,” she said.
“By bringing these experiences together, we hope to help every traveller discover and plan a trip that feels right for them, while making it easier to turn that inspiration into their next getaway.”
Four destinations, countless possibilities
One of the most interesting aspects of the festival was how each destination zone reflected the character of the country or region it represented.
The Let’s Go Japan zone recreated elements of a Japanese seafood market, complete with lifelike seafood replicas and itineraries highlighting different regions.
There was also the entertaining Klook It Challenge, developed with Sony. Participants wearing noise-cancelling headphones had to identify how many times the words “Klook It” appeared in an original jingle created by Singaporean singer Benjamin Kheng.
The Discover China zone was particularly appealing to families.
A giant hotpot installation, filled with oversized foam and plush ingredients, provided an unusual photo opportunity.
Visitors could also dress in traditional hanfu costumes and pose against a lantern-themed backdrop.
For those seriously considering a holiday in China, Klook’s destination specialists offered personalised itinerary recommendations based on individual interests.
Closer to home, the Welcome to Southeast Asia zone resembled a souvenir shop, with travel itineraries presented as postcards.
Vietnam featured prominently through interactive games, including a simulated cable car journey towards Ba Na Hills and a beanbag challenge involving destinations across the country.
The G’Day! Australia zone brought a farmers’ market atmosphere to Suntec, featuring produce-inspired displays, travel recommendations and road-trip itineraries.
It was a reminder that Australia offers much more than its familiar major cities, particularly for travellers interested in scenic drives and regional experiences.
More than a shopping fair
The festival also featured workshops, performances and travel talks, adding a welcome cultural dimension to the commercial offerings.
Among the October 17 highlights was The Intan’s Little Hands, Big Colors: Peranakan Tile Experience, which introduced participants to an aspect of Singapore’s distinctive heritage.
Other activities included cyanotype print-making by Arterly Obsessed, games and sharing sessions by Klook Kreators.
A digital stamp rally, the Klook Travel Fest Passport, encouraged visitors to explore the various zones and complete challenges.
Developed with youth-led venture Go Touch Grass, the initiative offered rewards including Robert Timms coffee, McDonald’s treats and a complimentary one-hour HelloRide bicycle ride.
The concept worked particularly well because it encouraged visitors to participate rather than simply browse.
PHOTOS: KTF 2026
Travel bargains remain a major draw
Despite the emphasis on experiences, holiday deals remained central to the festival.
Klook promoted more than S$300 in potential savings, including an event-exclusive S$12 offer for DBS yuu Card users, discounts for students and Gen X travellers, and destination-specific promotions.
Selected attractions, including Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland and Universal Studios in Japan and Beijing, featured buy-one-get-one offers.
Lucky draws offered prizes worth up to S$30,000.
The festival also brought together tourism and lifestyle partners, including the Jeju Tourism Organization, Japan National Tourism Organization, StarDream Cruises, Sun World, Sony, Shopee and Yeo’s.
What made this year’s Klook Travel Fest different was its effort to turn holiday planning into an enjoyable experience.
Rather than merely comparing prices and packages, visitors could sample elements of different cultures, discover unfamiliar destinations and consider new ways of travelling.
For me, the appeal lay in that combination of discovery and practicality.
