Regional travel remains favourable for Malaysians, but many are now heading to destinations that may not typically be the “favourites” among travellers.
According to the accommodation searches made on Agoda between Jan 1 and May 31 this year (for stays between June 20 and Aug 31), more Malaysians are looking at alternative Asian city breaks, alternative island escapes and second-city destinations.
The travel platform compared the data to insights from the same period the previous year, and saw significant increase in interest for the aforementioned places.
For example, in Japan, which is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Malaysians, Tokyo sees a 24% year-on-year increase in accommodation searches. But this pales in comparison to the 91% increase seen for Fukuoka and 63% for Sapporo.
This shows that Malaysian travellers are interested in exploring more of Japan, beyond its ever-popular capital city.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, another destination that often tops Malaysians’ travel list, Seoul, sees a 7% increase in accommodation searches. However, Busan has an impressive 104% year-on-year increase.
This is perhaps unsurprising as the coastal city has long been known for its beautiful beaches, fresh seafood and lively markets, as well as its more relaxed pace compared to Seoul.
Closer to home, Indonesia has also seen strong search growth across several of its tourist destinations.
Capital city Jakarta continues to be popular among Malaysians, with a search increase of 71%. Other cities that also see an increase include: Batam Island (up 69%), Surabaya (45%), Lombok (39%), Medan (34%), and Yogyakarta (26%).
The numbers show that while Malaysians still enjoy holidaying in familiar destinations, many are also enjoying nearby regional escapes more, which range from city breaks and cultural trips to island getaways.
“The surge in searches for places like Busan, Fukuoka and Lombok tells us that Malaysian travellers are making more deliberate choices, moving past travel hotspots to find better value and newer experiences within the same regions they already love,” says Fabian Teja, country director (Malaysia and Brunei) at Agoda, in a press statement.
While Japan, South Korea and Indonesia remain top favourites, other countries in the region have also seen positive growth search from Malaysian travellers.
Among these is Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, which recorded an increase of 49%. The vibrant metropolis is known for its centuries-old French colonial architecture and various street foods.
Following close behind is Shenzhen in China, with searches up 45%. The hyper-modern metropolis, with its towering skyscrapers and glitzy hotels, is home to tech giants and well-known by the moniker of “China’s Silicon Valley”.
Next is Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. There is a 36% increase in searches for accommodations in the densely populated bayside region, which is popular for its historic walled city and other attractions bearing its 16th-century Spanish colonial past.
Vietnam makes the list again with Da Nang. Searches for accommodation in the coastal city rose 34%, showing Malaysians’ interest in spending their holidays at a destination with luxury resorts and pristine beaches.
