When it comes to domestic travel, most Malaysians are planning their trips around the East Coast in the Peninsular, as well as to Sabah and Sarawak.
According to data from Traveloka, the domestic destinations most favoured by Malaysians are Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu), Bintulu (Sarawak), Kota Baru (Kelantan), Tawau (Sabah) and Kuala Lumpur.
This data is based on the travel platform’s South-East Asia Index Q3 2026 report – July 1 to Sept 30 – drawn from its proprietary insights across five markets in the region, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Kuala Terengganu likely topped the list for Malaysia as the third quarter is the best time to visit the coastal city’s beautiful beaches and nearby islands, thanks to the southwest monsoon. This is when the weather is generally more favourable (sunny everyday) and the seas are calmer.
Popular islands like Redang and Lang Tengah, for example, are also easily accessible via speed boat or ferry from the Merang Jetty, which is a 40-minute drive from Kuala Terengganu.
Apart from the islands, travellers can also plan for visits to cultural attractions like Istana Maziah, or shop at the popular Pasar Payang.
Meanwhile, Bintulu’s increase in popularity shows that Malaysian travellers are seeking to explore beyond Sarawak’s oft-visited capital city, Kuching. July and August are Bintulu’s usual peak season as this is when rainfall is at its lowest.
Perhaps the availability of additional connecting flights via the new airline, AirBorneo, also helped increase this city’s visibility among out-of-state travellers.
Verdant nature is something that Bintulu is blessed with, giving visitors the chance to enjoy the greenery at places like Similajau National Park and Tumbina Park. It is also rich with heritage, with places like the Tua Pek Kong Temple and Council Negeri Monument easily accessible for visitors to explore.
It is no surprise that Tawau is on the list as the July to September months are peak island-hopping periods in Semporna.
Yes, you read that right. Since Semporna does not have its own airport, Tawau Airport is where most travellers will fly into. From there, you can take a tour bus, a private car service or taxi, or even drive yourself to Semporna; it will take about an hour to get from the airport to Semporna town.
But the charming town of Tawau itself is not to be missed, especially if you’re a nature lover. The Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Tawau Hills Park and Columnar Basalt Balung Cocos are just some of the top spots for both tourists and locals.
Other places
One of the destinations abroad that’s popular with Malaysians is Phu Quoc, Vietnam. It’s proving to be a regional favourite as it is also the number one international destination for Indonesian travellers in Q3, and it places second as a domestic destination in Vietnam.
Phu Quoc is the country’s largest island and in the past decade or so it has undergone a massive transformation from a sleepy town to a major international tourist destination. There’s lots to do here, encompassing nature, arts and culture, entertainment and heritage.
Some places to check out include Phu Quoc National Park, an open-air zoo called Vinpearl Safari, the amusement park VinWonders, Italy-inspired Sunset Town and the sea-crossing Hon Thom Cable Car.
While Phu Quoc leads the pack, Hangzhou (China), London (England), Nagoya (Japan) and Paris (France) complete the top five breakout destinations.
China’s Shenzhen, Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai, along with South Korea’s Seoul – all of which were the rising destinations in Q2 – continue to be among the places that the five markets are interested in.
While China’s mutual visa-free travel with Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand is encouraging more arrivals from South-East Asian travellers, the global popularity of Hallyu continues to make South Korea a top country to visit for many.
More Malaysian travellers are also turning their attention to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Their interest is likely piqued by its scenic nature, which includes the dramatic Tian Shan ranges and the turquoise waters of the Big Almaty Lake.
Interestingly, Almaty was one of the destinations mentioned as a “wildcard” in Traveloka’s Q2 report, which was focused on three destinations that have more searches than bookings by travellers.
A wildcard is seen as an unexpected trend that differ from the quarter’s travel patterns.
In Q2, Almaty was frequently searched by the five markets, yet received minimal number of bookings. Hua Hin in Thailand also drew similar interest, likely by travellers looking for a quieter alternative to Phuket and Pattaya.
Qingdao, a coastal city in China, received tons of searches from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The visa-free travel between China and Asean no doubt played a role here, while new direct flight connectivity also helped boost interest.
These three destinations may not receive many bookings yet, but the growing searches show that travellers are gradually adding them to their shortlist – just as what Malaysian travellers are doing now with Almaty.
For Q3, the wildcard result seems to be focused on travels driven by faith and heritage. Borobudur and Prambanan in Indonesia are popular among Malaysians, as shown by the year-on-year increase in bookings for flights from Malaysia to Magelang and Yogyakarta.
Meanwhile, Vietnam travellers are heading to Luang Prabang in Laos. The city has Buddhist temples, such as Wat Xieng Thong, making it perfect for those looking to have a spiritual journey while appreciating the heritage of historic places.
The rise in bookings from Vietnam to Laos is boosted by the increase of capacity for flights on the route.
These destinations suggest that travellers are becoming more mindful of their destinations. They choose places with meaning and travel with intention, embracing the very ethos of spiritual trips.
