intelligence December Report 2018

Transcription

1 intelligence December Report 2018

2 Contents Tax Free Trends Summary 03 Tax Free Sales Trends 05 A look back at Tax Free Shopping in Tax Free Sales by Destination and Source 10 Top 5 Visitor Nations per Destination Country 12 Currency Trends 14 Arrivals Forecast Europe Overview 16 France 17 United Kingdom 18 Italy 19 Spain 20 Germany 21 Austria 22 Finland 23 Portugal 24 Ireland 25 Czech Republic 26 Planet International Calendar 27 Planet Intelligence 2

3 Shopping & Arrivals Growth Summary - December 2018 Top 5 Destination Markets Tax Free Sales Turnover Vouchers/ Transaction Avg. Transaction Values (ATV) Arrival Numbers +1% Total Sales France -3% -1% -2% -5% United Kingdom Italy Spain +1% +12% +8% -9% +4% +33% +10% +8% -19% +3% +5% +8% -1% Total Vouchers Germany +5% -9% +15% -1% Top 5 Source Markets Tax Free Sales Turnover Vouchers/ Transaction Avg. Transaction Values (ATV) Arrival Numbers +2% Total ATV China +6% -1% +7% +10% +24% +5% +18% +11% Russia Taiwan Hong Kong -14% +5% -30% -7% -6% 0% -8% +12% -30% -9% +19% +10% +2% Total Arrivals Planet Intelligence 3

4 Shopping & Arrivals Growth Summary - YTD Top 5 Destination Markets Tax Free Sales Turnover Vouchers/ Transaction Avg. Transaction Values (ATV) Arrival Numbers -1% Total Sales France +3% -2% +5% +4% United Kingdom Italy Spain -10% +7% -8% -11% +3% -5% +1% +4% -3% +3% +6% +2% -6% Total Vouchers Germany -4% -9% +6% -1% Top 5 Source Markets Tax Free Sales Turnover Vouchers/ Transaction Avg. Transaction Values (ATV) Arrival Numbers +6% Total ATV China +6% -5% +11% +3% +12% +3% +8% +7% Russia Taiwan Hong Kong -18% +10% -11% -15% -5% -7% -3% +16% -5% -8% +5% +5% +3% Total Arrivals Planet Intelligence 4

5 Tax Free Shopping Sales Trends December 2018 Overview The year ended on a positive note, as global Tax Free shopping sales increased by 1% year-on-year in December, marking the third consecutive month of growth. Although small in size, this month s performance is a strong improvement compared with the significant decline recorded in the same period last year. As predicted in last month s report, France saw a decline as Tax Free shopping sales dropped by 3% for the month: with Average Transaction Value (ATV), arrivals and the number of vouchers all showing negative results. The negative performance has been influenced by ongoing political unrest as a result of the Gilet Jaunes protests. Meanwhile, the UK, Spain and Italy all posted growth for the month, enhanced by the festive period. The outlook for arrival numbers for the first quarter of 2019, according to data from Forward Keys, suggests a modest 1% increase compared with the same period last year. Most European countries will experience growth, with the exception of France, which can anticipate a 3% decline year on year. This rise in tourists presents an ample opportunity for merchants looking to capture crucial international spend. Over 380m Chinese tourists prepare to travel for New Year celebrations Many Chinese nationals will be preparing to travel for the seven-day Spring Festival holiday period, which marks the Lunar New Year. Data from the China National Tourism Administration showed that in 2018 Chinese tourists made 386 million trips during the holiday 1 : an impressive 12% increase on the previous year. In 2018, the Chinese New Year period did not see an increase in Tax Free sales across Europe, partly influenced by fluctuations in the strength of the Chinese yuan. However, data suggest that 2019 should bring fresh optimism for European merchants. According to Forward Keys, arrivals of Chinese nationals are expected to increase by 12% for the first quarter of Most European countries can expect growth in tourist numbers, however Austria, the UK and the Czech Republic are the countries most likely to benefit, with predicted doubledigit growth in tourists of 48%, 23% and 17%, respectively. Y/Y Sales Growth 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% Looking specifically at high-net-worth individuals, 64% of affluent Chinese plan to travel overseas for Chinese New Year in 2019, according to the Chinese Luxury Traveller 2018 report published by Hurun 2. This, coupled with the encouraging arrivals forecast, makes for a promising outlook for Chinese New Year % JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 1 Xinhua.net - China's tourism revenue posts double-digit growth during holiday 2 Hurun - Chinese Luxury Traveller 2018 Report Planet Intelligence 5

6 A look back at Tax Free Shopping in 2018 Trends from Europe s premier shopping destinations There were mixed fortunes at a city level in 2018, with four of the top ten Tax Free shopping cities posting an overall decline in sales. However, gains will have been harder to achieve in year-on-year terms following the significant growth registered across all major European cities in The impact of the Barcelona terror attack in August 2017 and the Catalan referendum in October 2017 continued to be felt in Spain s major cities in 2018, reversing the gains seen in sales during the previous year. Despite London witnessing four terror attacks in 2017, it was 2018 which saw 8% declines, perhaps influenced by the continued political instability. In contrast, Frankfurt, Vienna and Florence all posted strong growth figures for the second year in a row, with growths of 6%, 12% and 15%, respectively. Paris and Rome also witnessed success in the form of modest gains that built on the growth experienced in Year-on-Year Sales (%) 2017 (+) 2017 (-) 2018 (+) 2018 (-) Florence Vienna Frankfurt Paris Rome Milan Munich London Barcelona Madrid -9% -8% -8% -4% +1% +2% +1% +5% +6% +6% +10% +12% +14% +12% +15% +17% -20% -10% 0 +10% +20% +30% +20% +22% +22% +21% Planet Intelligence 6

7 A look back at Tax Free Shopping in 2018 International shoppers favourite shopping streets With the conversation about the decline of the high street continuing, London s Regent Street, Oxford Street and New Bond Street were revealed as the fastest declining streets of Europe s top ten most popular shopping streets in Posting declines of 13%, 11% and 8% respectively, these figures reflect London s broader 8% decrease in Tax Free shopping sales. However, it was a more positive story on the other side of the Channel in Paris, which recorded 2% growth and is home to four of the top ten Tax Free shopping streets in Europe. Despite this, the city s growth was impacted by two of these streets, as Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs Elysées - showed growth equal to or less than the total city s performance. Unsurprisingly, Milan, a centre of fashion and design, also has two of Europe s top ten streets located within in it, cementing the reputation of 'Quadrilatero della Moda as one of, if not the most, important fashion districts in the world. Of these, Via Montenapoleone registered a substantial 6% growth in Year-on-Year Sales (%) 2017 (+) 2017 (-) 2018 (+) 2018 (-) Rue Royale, Paris Rue Saint Honore, Paris +5% +10% +14% +28% Via Montenapoleone, Milan +6% +41% Avenue Montaigne, Paris +1% +7% Via Sant'Andrea, Milan -3% +3% Av' des Champs Elysees, Paris -4% +14% Old Bond Street, London -7% +17% New Bond Street, London -8% +26% Oxford Street, London -11% +7% Regent Street, London -13% +28% -20% -10% 0 +10% +20% +30% +40% +50% Planet Intelligence 7

8 A look back at Tax Free Shopping in 2018 A strong dollar drives US Shoppers to Europe Global Tax Free sales to shoppers from the US saw one of the largest rates of growth in However the 12% year-onyear growth in sales mirrors the percentage increase in 2017 proving that the US is fast becoming one of Europe s most seasoned shopping nations. Performance peaked towards the end of the year, when US shoppers flocked to the continent during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year periods. Much of this growth can be attributed to a strong dollar. Both sterling and the euro have fallen since April; it was at this time that growth in Tax Free shopping sales to US shoppers started to rise sharply. The pound-to-dollar rate has been knocked by rising uncertainty regarding the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, whilst the euro-to-dollar rate was hit by the slowing pace of Eurozone economic growth, which waned from a slow 0.7% towards the end of 2017 to an even slower 0.4% for Q1 and Q2 in Conversely, data from the US have suggested economic strength and a rise in consumer confidence, translating to strength in the value of the US dollar and an increased willingness for US tourists to part with it abroad. 3 3 Reuters - US consumer confidence at 18-year high; house price gains slow US Tax Free Shopping Sales vs Currency Tax Free Sales - US GBP:USD EUR:USD +40% % % % % % % 1.13 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Planet Intelligence 8

9 A look back at Tax Free Shopping in 2018 Middle East continues to slump in 2018 For the second year in a row, Tax Free sales to shoppers from the Middle East region have shown disappointing results, posting a decline of 4% in 2018, which follows a 3% decline in Sales to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations remained challenged due to a number of factors, despite a number of these nations currencies being pegged to the US dollar. With the exception of shoppers coming from Qatar, the main Arab Gulf nationalities including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE all registered a decline in sales in 2018, as Qatar rebounded following the blockade by its neighbours in June The economies of the Middle East continue to recover after many difficult years of a low oil price environment, austerity measures and geopolitical risk. With changes being introduced in this region to reduce the dependency on oil production, such as the introduction of VAT, a boost to the economy is expected in the short-to-medium term. This has already been reflected in Tax Free sales to shoppers from these nations, which showed signs of recovery towards the end of Year-on-Year Sales: Gulf Co-operation Council (%) UAE KWT SAU QAT GCC -11% -7% -7% -8% -4% -3% -4% -1% 2017 (+) 2017 (-) 2018 (+) 2018 (-) +6% +8% Year-on-Year Sales: BRIC (%) BRA RUS IND CHN BRIC's -22% -18% BRIC falters following strong gains in % Sales to shoppers from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) witnessed exceptionally strong gains in However, 2018 proved a challenge as double-digit Tax Free shopping growth slipped from 18% in the previous year to being broadly flat in was also a domestically difficult year for BRIC countries. Brazil suffered from significant fiscal deficits and a weakening labour market as well as the increased political uncertainty brought about by the October elections. Sales to Russian shoppers were adversely impacted by a return to a depreciation in the value of the ruble, as a result of a fresh diplomatic crisis with the UK and renewed sanctions imposed by the US and European Union. Even sales to Chinese shoppers were restrained by currency fluctuations and a narrowing of price differentials in the year. Also, despite a growing Indian economy, sales to Indian shoppers posted a broadly flat performance, as the value of the Indian rupee saw falls attributable to a strengthening US dollar, as did a number of emerging economies with dollar-denominated debt. 0% 0% 2017 (+) 2017 (-) +6% +9% 2018 (+) 2018 (-) +18% +18% +27% Planet Intelligence 9

10 Sales Performance - December 2018 By Destination By Source Market FRA -3.5% CHN +5.8% GBR +0.7% +23.7% ITA +11.6% RUS -14.4% ESP +7.6% TWN +5.1% DEU +4.6% HKG -29.8% AUT -2.7% KOR +8.4% CZE -7.1% SGP +11.5% PRT -17.0% UAE +12.0% IRL +12.6% THA +1.5% GRC +46.1% KWT +7.6% Planet Intelligence 10

11 Sales Performance - YTD By Destination By Source Market FRA +2.6% CHN +5.8% GBR -10.3% +11.6% ITA +6.9% RUS -18.3% ESP -7.6% TWN +9.8% DEU -3.9% HKG -10.9% AUT +11.5% KOR -1.8% IRL -0.1% THA +1.3% CZE -9.4% UAE -7.1% PRT -11.5% SAU -3.9% CHE +4.3% KWT -7.3% Planet Intelligence 11

12 Top 5 Visitor Nations per Destination Country December 2018 Top 5 Share ATV Y/Y Sales Top 5 Share ATV Y/Y Sales FRA CHINA 38% 1, % 8% 1, % TAIWAN 6% 2, % SOUTH KOREA 5% 737-9% HONG KONG 4% 2,671-57% AUT CHINA 18% 598 0% RUSSIA 14% % SWITZERLAND 10% % TAIWAN 9% 602-5% UKRAINE 8% % GBR CHINA 23% % 7% % KUWAIT 7% % UAE 7% % HONG KONG 5% % CZE TAIWAN 31% % RUSSIA 20% % CHINA 17% % SOUTH KOREA 5% 179-4% 4% % ITA CHINA 36% 1,110 +5% 9% 1, % RUSSIA 8% 851-4% SINGAPORE 4% 1, % SOUTH KOREA 4% % PRT CHINA 24% 1,617-30% ANGOLA 18% % BRAZIL 17% % 8% 1, % MOZAMBIQUE 3% % ESP CHINA 23% 507-3% 8% % RUSSIA 7% % SOUTH KOREA 6% % MOROCCO 4% % IRL CHINA 36% % 23% % HONG KONG 4% % CANADA 4% % MALAYSIA 3% % DEU CHINA 39% % RUSSIA 10% % THAILAND 5% 1,104 +8% TAIWAN 5% 459-4% SWITZERLAND 4% 438-3% GRC CHINA 52% % MACEDONIA 9% % ALBANIA 5% % ISRAEL 4% % 3% % Planet Intelligence 12

13 Top 5 Visitor Nations per Destination Country YTD Top 5 Share ATV Y/Y Sales Top 5 Share ATV Y/Y Sales FRA CHINA 35% 1, % 9% 1, % HONG KONG 6% 3,948-21% SOUTH KOREA 5% % TAIWAN 5% 2, % AUT CHINA 29% % RUSSIA 10% % SWITZERLAND 8% 414-6% TAIWAN 7% % THAILAND 5% % GBR CHINA 25% % 7% 392-7% KUWAIT 6% 355-9% UAE 5% 604-5% HONG KONG 5% 414-3% IRL CHINA 36% 418-8% 35% % CANADA 4% % AUSTRALIA 3% 147-7% MALAYSIA 2% % ITA CHINA 32% 1, % 12% 1, % RUSSIA 9% % TAIWAN 5% 1,231-2% SOUTH KOREA 4% % CZE CHINA 25% % RUSSIA 21% % TAIWAN 17% % SOUTH KOREA 6% % 5% % ESP CHINA 27% 629-4% RUSSIA 8% % 8% 549 0% ARGENTINA 4% % SOUTH KOREA 4% % PRT CHINA 33% 2,088 0% BRAZIL 18% % ANGOLA 17% % 3% 745-7% HONG KONG 3% 5,875 +3% DEU CHINA 37% 701-5% RUSSIA 9% % TAIWAN 5% % THAILAND 4% % UAE 4% % CHE CHINA 24% 1, % UAE 8% 1,931 0% RUSSIA 7% 1,383-19% 6% 1, % THAILAND 5% 1, % Planet Intelligence 13

14 Currency vs Euro & GBP: Top Source Markets Currency movements: Last 52 Weeks CNY > EUR RUB > EUR CNY > GBP USD > EUR HKD > EUR USD > GBP Planet Intelligence 14

15 Arrivals Forecast In partnership with Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 15

16 Europe Overview Total +6.2% +1.1% GBR +2.9% +1.3% FRA IRL +10.1% -2.5% +6.5% +5.6% Destination Market Insights The next quarter, representing the period from January through to March 2019, is expected to see a modest 1.1% increase in non-eu tourist arrivals a decline from the 6.2% growth seen in the same period last year. Similar to the trend experienced last month, all countries are predicted to to make Tax Free sales gains year on year, although growth will be relatively modest compared to the prior year for the majority of destinations. This is with the exception of France, which is likely to be impacted by ongoing political unrest in the country. The highest performing countries for the quarter look to be Portugal and Ireland, with growth of 6.1% and 5.6% respectively. While the rate of gains appears to be tepid compared with the backdrop of the prior year, opportunities for sales growth continue to look positive for merchants. Source Market Insights The period from January through to March is host to a variety of international holiday events as people celebrate the new year, with festivities including Russian Orthodox New Year, Chinese New Year and Easter towards the end of the quarter. This will drive an increase of tourists from several of Europe s most valuable shopper source markets. Chinese New Year is predicted to see an increase of arrivals from Taiwan (20%), Hong Kong (18%) and China (12%), with only France, Italy and Ireland predicted to post single-digit gains. As a continuation of the current trend, travel from the United States to Europe, likely driven by continued strength in the currency, is forecast to increase by 11% this quarter. This almost three times the 4% growth posted for the same period in JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 ITA ESP +9.8% +2.2% +7.4% +1.3% CZE +3.9% +2.4% AUT +1.9% +4.7% FIN +6.2% +2.2% DEU PRT -0.3% +1.6% +14.9% +6.1% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 16

17 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - France RUS +12.5% -17.2% CHN +7.7% +2.2% HNG +13.6% +5.1% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +8.0% +7.2% -7.4% -0.3% BRA JPN +29.8% -2.7% +12.6% +12.9% KUW TWN +37.7% -8.5% +4.6% +21.8% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS +8.9% -21.3% +31.4% -24.4% +13.2% -6.5% +10.4% -1.1% +4.6% +82.4% +37.0% +22.9% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 17

18 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - UK RUS -0.4% -4.8% CHN +1.9% +22.8% HNG +4.8% -2.6% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR -4.1% +12.8% -5.4% +7.6% BRA JPN -2.1% +3.1% -3.2% +22.4% KUW TWN +11.6% +7.7% +19.2% +9.2% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS +6.1% -7.3% +19.9% -31.7% -2.2% -2.0% +6.5% +9.4% +5.8% +9.3% +10.4% +3.2% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 18

19 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Italy RUS -7.9% -0.7% CHN +8.9% +3.3% HNG +14.5% +5.0% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +16.3% +7.6% +4.1% +7.9% BRA JPN +16.5% +7.7% +7.1% -3.1% KUW TWN +16.2% +9.7% +8.0% +10.0% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS +8.2% -16.7% -8.5% -17.3% -17.4% +1.7% +12.5% -4.1% +10.2% +46.1% +19.0% -1.2% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 19

20 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Spain RUS +2.7% +0.5% CHN -5.1% +17.5% HNG +23.5% +7.6% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +6.4% +14.9% -14.0% +3.4% BRA JPN -2.2% +11.1% -12.8% +21.8% KUW TWN -9.6% +5.7% -5.7% +49.2% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS +17.5% -12.6% +6.8% -18.1% -1.4% -2.8% +27.6% -0.3% +7.0% +0.4% +6.7% -3.1% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 20

21 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Germany RUS -4.1% -5.6% CHN +4.5% +11.2% HNG -1.3% +96.5% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR -2.5% +2.6% +4.3% -8.9% BRA JPN -8.7% +1.9% -4.9% +10.3% KUW TWN +10.3% -5.1% +1.7% +6.8% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS -5.9% -3.2% +2.4% -22.8% -7.1% -10.2% +5.4% +2.1% +9.1% +46.2% +12.7% +1.2% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 21

22 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Austria RUS +2.5% -12.5% CHN -8.0% +47.7% HNG +20.7% +0.9% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR % +13.6% KOR -0.9% +7.7% BRA +16.4% -13.1% JPN -0.5% -18.9% KUW +13.9% -11.4% TWN +1.8% +72.8% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS -5.5% +5.2% -2.6% -20.5% -4.0% -10.1% -5.4% +18.7% % +89.9% -8.6% +27.4% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 22

23 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Finland RUS +18.6% -26.5% CHN +8.0% +13.6% HNG +24.6% +10.6% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +6.8% +15.7% +8.8% +0.6% BRA JPN +24.1% -16.3% -12.3% -7.8% KUW TWN -7.5% +18.9% +51.5% -24.0% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS -6.5% -9.1% +11.1% -27.5% -27.3% -8.5% +37.5% -3.1% -2.9% +18.7% % -13.5% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 23

24 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Portugal RUS +13.6% -33.9% CHN +13.0% +15.2% HNG +3.7% +65.8% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +13.4% +21.1% -30.9% +86.9% BRA JPN +13.8% +9.4% +23.1% +4.5% KUW TWN +15.1% +29.8% +71.6% +28.7% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS +33.6% -29.0% -21.8% -2.5% +0.7% -13.0% +48.0% -16.1% +32.4% +17.9% +26.7% -34.6% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 24

25 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Ireland RUS -5.8% +39.3% CHN -11.2% +7.7% HNG -12.3% +25.0% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +1.8% +12.8% -1.0% +10.3% BRA JPN +8.6% +15.3% -5.0% +5.8% KUW TWN +3.3% -18.1% +25.3% -24.5% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS +3.4% -26.0% +84.3% -9.4% +2.2% -4.9% -3.4% -0.8% -21.5% -1.3% +17.8% -11.7% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 25

26 3 Month Arrivals Outlook - Czech Rep. RUS -4.5% -3.5% CHN +4.7% +17.2% HNG +7.3% +4.4% JAN 18 - MAR 18 JAN 19 - MAR 19 KOR +8.9% +37.9% +1.8% +9.9% BRA JPN +16.2% -2.7% +19.6% +4.2% KUW TWN +33.3% -1.5% -28.6% -2.4% SAU QAT UAE IND THA MYS -4.2% -6.6% +90.7% -32.4% +3.0% -4.7% +17.0% +3.8% +9.7% +2.4% +21.9% -9.8% Know tomorrow s travellers Planet Intelligence 26

27 Planet International Calendar Planning for international shoppers throughout the year The following heat map has been designed in order to show the important travelling times of key Tax Free shopping nations. Used in conjunction with the major international calendar dates that are provided on the following page, you will be able to plan for the major international shopping periods throughout Key Tax Free shopping months include July, which is the busiest Tax Free shopping month of the year, coinciding with summer holidays, as well as US Independence Day. October is also a major month for international shoppers, which sees a sharp increase in tourists seeking to enjoy Chinese National Golden week. August also sees a significant amount of spend, as many Middle Eastern inhabitants travel in order to celebrate the Eid al-adha Festival. Normal traffic Medium traffic High traffic Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Brazil China Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Middle East Russia South Korea Taiwan Thailand Planet Intelligence 27

28 January 1 New Year s Day 2 New Year s weekend 2-3 Jan Bank Holiday (JPN) 2-8 New Year Holiday Week (RUS) 6 Iraq Army Day (IRQ) 7 Orthodox Christmas Day (RUS) 13 Guru Govind Singh Jayanti (IND) 13 Lohri (IND) 14 Makar Sankranti (IND) 14 Birthday of Yang di-pertuan Besar (MYS) 14 Coming of Age Day (JPN) 15 Pongal (IND) 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day () 21 Thaipusam (MYS) 26 Republic Day (IND) February 1 Federal Territory Day (MYS) 4 Chinese New Year s Eve (CHN) 4 Farmer s Day (TWN) 4 Seollal Holiday (KOR) 5 Chinese New Year 5-6 Seollal (KOR) 6-10 New Year Golden Week (CHN) 10 Vasant Panchami (IND) 11 National Foundation Day (JPN) 12 National Sports Day (QAT) 14 Valentine s Day 18 Presidents Day () 19 Lantern Festival (CHN) 19 Shivaji Jayanti (IND) 19 Guru Ravidas Jayanti (IND) 19 Makha Bucha (THA) 23 Defender of the Fatherland Day (RUS) 25 National Day (KWT) 26 Liberation Day (KWT) 27 Special Operations Forces Day (RUS) Memorial Day (TWN) March 1 Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti (IND) 1 Independence Day (KOR) 2-6 Brazilian Carnival 3 Dolls /Girls' Festival (JPN) 3 March bank holiday (QAT) 4 Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri (IND) 4 Anniversary of Coronation of Sultan of Terengganu (MYS) 7 Hindu New Year 8 Int. Women s Day 12 Arbor Day (CHN) 17 St. Patrick s Day 20 Holika Dahana (IND) 21 Holi (IND) 21 Dolyatra (IND) 21 Hazarat Ali s Birthday (IND) 21 Nowruz (Persian New Year) 29 Youth Day (TWN) 23 Birthday Sultan of Johor (MYS) April 3 Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (Islam) 3 Isra and Mi raj (MYS) 4 Children s Day 5 Tomb Sweeping Day (HKG/TWN/CHN) 5 Arbor Day (KOR) 6 Chaitra Sukhladi (IND) 6 Chakri Day (THA) 8 Chakri Day (observed) 13 Rama Navami (IND) Songkran (THA) 14 Vaisakhi (Sikh/Hindu) 14 Mesadi/Vaisakhadi (IND) 14 Ambedkar Jayanti (IND) 15 Tax Day () 15 Declaration of Malacca as Historical City (MYS) 17 Mahavir Jayanti (IND) 19 Good Friday 20 Holy Saturday 21 Easter Sunday 21 Tiradentes Day (BRA) 22 Easter Monday 27 Birthday of the Sultan of Terengganu (MYS) 29 Shōwa Day (JPN) May 1 Labour Day 1 Spring and Labour Day (RUS) 2-3 Spring and Labour Holiday (RUS) 3 Constitution Memorial Day (JPN) 4 Youth Day (CHN) 4 Greenery Day (JPN) 5 Cinco de Mayo () 5 Children s Day (JPN) 6 Ramadan begins (Islam) 7 Pahang State Holiday (MYS) 7 Birthday of Ravindranath (IND) 8 Parents Day (KOR) 9 Victory Day (RUS) 12 Mother s Day () 12 Buddha s Birthday 13 Royal Ploughing Ceremony (THA) 15 Teacher s Day (KOR) Buddha Purnima/Vesak (Buddhist) 22 Nuzul Al-Quran (Islam) 27 Memorial Day () Harvest Festival (Pesta Ka amatan) (MYS) 31 Jamat Ul-Vida (IND) June 1 Children s Day (CHN/RUS) 1 Pancasila Day (IDN) 1-3 Gawai Dayak (Sarawak) (MYS/IDN) 5 Eid al-fitr (Eid-ul-Fitar/Ramzan Eid/Idul Fitri/Hari Raya Puasa) (Islam) 6 Memorial Day (KOR) 7 Dragon Boat Festival (CHN) 9 Children s Day () 12 Russia Day (RUS) 12 Brazilian Valentine s Day (BRA) 16 Father s Day 20 Corpus Christi (Catholic) July 4 Independence Day () 4 Rath Yatra (Hindu) 7 Star Festival (JPN) 14 Republic Day (IRQ) 15 Sea Day (JPN) 16 Asalha Bucha (THA) 17 Buddhist Lent Day 17 Constitution Day (KOR) 22 Sarawak Independence Day (MYS) 28 King Vajiralongkorn s Birthday (THA) August 7 Chinese Valentine s Day Eid al-adha (Hari Raya Haji/ Bakr Id/Feast of sacrifice) (Islam) Mountain Day (JPN) 12 The Queen s Birthday (THA) 15 Spirit Festival (CHN/HKG/TWN) 15 Ghost Festival (JPN) 15 Independence Day (IND) 15 Raksha Bandhan (Hindu/Sikh/Jain) 17 Navroze (Parsi New Year) (IND) 24 Janmashtami (Hindu) 31 Merdeka Day Independence Day (MYS) September 1 Day of Knowledge (RUS) 1 Muharram / Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) 2 Labour Day () 2 Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi (Hindu) 3 Armed Forces Day (TWN) 7 Independence Day (BRA) 9 The Yang di-pertuan Agong s Birthday (MYS) 10 Muharram/Ashura (Islam) 11 Onam (Hindu) 13 Mid-Autumn Festival (CHN/HKG/TWN) 14 Day after Mid-Autumn Festival 16 Malaysia Day 16 Respect for the Aged Day (JPN) 23 Autumn Equinox October 1 Armed Forces Day (KOR) 1-7 National Day and Golden Week holiday (CHN) 2 Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (IND) 3 Iraqi Independence Day 3 National Foundation Day (KOR) 5 Maha Saptami (IND) 6 Maha Ashtami (IND) 7 Maha Navami (IND) 7 Double Ninth Festival (CHN) 7 Dussehra (Hindu) 9 Hangeul Proclamation Day (KOR) 10 National Day/Double Tenth Day (TWN) 12 Our Lady Aparecida/ Children s Day (BRA) 13 Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti (IND) 14 Columbus Day () 17 Karva Chauth (Hindu) 23 Chulalongkorn Day (THA) 24 Birthday of Sultan of Pahang (MYS) 25 Taiwan s Retrocession Day 27 Naraka Chaturdashi (Hindu) 27 Diwali/Deepavali (Hindu/Sikh/Jain/Buddhist) 28 Govardhan Puja (IND) 29 Bhai Dooj (Hindu) 31 Halloween () November 2 Chhath Puja (Pratihar Sashthi/ Surya Sashthi) (IND) 2 All Souls Day (BRA) 3-4 Culture Day (JPN) 4 Unity Day (RUS) 9-10 Mawlid (Mouloud /The Prophet Muhammad s Birthday) (Islam) 11 Double 11th Festival (CHN) Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan (MYS) 12 Guru Nanak Jayanti (Sikh) Day (JPN) 15 Republic Proclamation Day (BRA) 20 Black Consciousness Day (BRA) 20 Children's Day (UAE) 23 Labour Thanksgiving Day (JPN) 24 Guru Tegh Bahadur s Martyrdom Day (Sikh) 28 Thanksgiving Day () 29 Black Friday () 30 Commemoration Day (UAE) December 2 National Day (UAE) 3 National Day Holiday (UAE) 18 National Day (QAT) 24 Christmas Eve 25 Christmas Day 26 Boxing Day 31 New Year s Eve Planet Intelligence 28

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