Online searches for flights out of Hong Kong surged by 290% in the 24 hours after the government announced shorter hotel quarantine requirements on Monday, according to travel company Expedia Group.

The top-trending destination was Bangkok, followed by Osaka in Japan, Expedia said.

Travel within Asia was the most popular -- strong demand was also seen for flights to Seoul, Phuket and Singapore.

Interest in international flight searches on Expedia.com.hk grew 60% in April-June from the previous quarter, Expedia said.

Hong Kong has cut mandatory hotel quarantine to three nights from seven, with arrivals needing to take daily Covid-19 tests for the next four days and restricted from so-called high risk places such as restaurants. Still, the easing lags most of the rest of the world, and arrivals run the risk of being sent to government isolation centres if they test positive.

Searches for shorter breaks of four to seven days in Asia doubled after Monday’s announcement, according to Expedia.

China’s largest online travel agency, Trip.com, said Tuesday that bookings for flights to Hong Kong jumped 249% after the new quarantine rules were announced.