Making the most of available promos and discounts, like those you’ll find in Klook Travel Fest 2025, will help you stick to your budget on your fun-filled, memorable trip.
Ahh, after months and months (or even years) of hard work and beating Metro Manila traffic, you’re finally out of the country to unplug, relax, and have fun. You know very well that this is what you deserve. But when everything’s over and you’re back home, facing the harsh reality of missed deadlines and monthly dues, you’ll realize that you’ve actually overspent during your vacation. And yes, getaways can be sweet, as well as bitter.
Our small indulgences during holidays abroad or in the country can add up quickly, leading to post-trip regret. The “vacation mindset”—a combination of entitlement, stress in unfamiliar environments, and a desire for unique experiences—can lead to impulse purchases.
In fact, a study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2022 revealed that majority of Filipino travellers had additional expenses in shopping (72.4%), roundtrip transportation (37.1%), and local transport (30.4%) in package tours within the country alone. And while overspending during a vacation is understandable—after all, it is you who worked hard for your money—it’s still important not to exhaust your long-term security and spend recklessly.
The question is: how? The POST interviewed Klook Philippines Associate Marketing Director Ulla Roqueza for some tips on how to get started. Klook is holding its annual travel fair on Oct. 10 to 12, 2025, where the travel app is giving away deals and discounts to help you save during vacations.
Other than grabbing these perks, there are, of couse, many ways that you can set a spending limit but still have a fun-filled, unforgettable time.
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Set a budget
Setting a budget for vacations is not rocket science, but if there’s anything to make it goof-proof, it’s that you should take the big picture into account. Get a clear picture of precisely what your expenses will be per day. “Know how much, in total, you are willing to spend for your trip then decide how many days you’d want it to be. From there, divide the total among projected costs for airfares, accommodation, transporation, food, shopping and, of course, things to do,” Roqueza told The POST.
“Once you have that budget, you’ll already know which flights, hotels, and activities, are out of the picture or maybe you’d want to wait for seat sales and other discount promos,” she added. So, be sure to do the math in advance and go into it with eyes wide open.
Know where you’re going
We all know that travel is not an open-check vacation so when selecting activities, make sure that you do a deep dive on your destination first. Researching attractions, local delicacies and crafts, and other must-see will help you with budgeting. You can dismiss the least important ones and do off-the-beaten-track instead. Find out which attractions have free admission. Local transportation is likely to impact your budget as well, so find out the best ways to get around your destination first.
Limit your spending
Let’s face it. Even on a budget, it’s easy to get off track, especially when you’re having the time of your life, during vacations. An extra exploration here, a few souvenirs there, and suddenly you’ve blown out your estimates. “It’s really about having a goal amount that you want to spend for your trip and actually sticking to it,” Roqueza said.
Set spending limits per day, per person, and per category. For example, each person in your group may have a budget for park entrance fees or show tickets. Aspen Wealth Management suggests getting or giving it in cash and make your partner, or someone reliable in the group, keep the rest with firm instructions not to give it to you or to anyone unless direly needed. You can also use prepaid debit cards like Japan’s Suica card, Singapore’s EZ-Link card, or London’s Oyster card that can be used for transportation as well as small purchases.
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Book deals and discounts in advance
If you’re a smart traveller, naturally, you’d want everything in your trip to be cheaper. We all want business class tickets, five-star hotels, and theme parks but they can all burn a hole in your pocket. The good news is there are many travel platforms offering lower prices and exclusive early-bird rates that’ll help you stay within your budget, plus provide peace of mind from booking in advance.
“We Filipinos are really resourceful when it comes to travel. We find a lot of ways to make it work every time,” Roqueza remarked. “There’s a lot of options for every budget—apps like Klook ca help you make the most of your budget.”
If you’re planning your much-deserved getaway anytime soon, check out the deals and discounts that the travel platform is giving away at the Klook Travel Fest 2025, happening on October 10 to 12, 2025, from 10 am to 8 pm at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium.
Here, you can avail yourself of buy-1-get-1 deals, all-day travel freebies, surprise giveaways, and exclusive 50% off promotions, or vouchers with savings of up to ₱10,000. Designed to inspire and empower travelers to explore more for less, the event offers unbeatable deals across a wide range of destinations, including the Philippines, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
To get the most of the travel fest, download the Klook app through the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, book the Klook Travel Fest 2025 FREE Admission Ticket in Manila, and download the QR code for scanning at the entrance.
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