PETALING JAYA: Festive celebrations are increasingly becoming travel moments for Malaysians, with accommodation searches during Ramadan surging by more than 200%.
Data released by Airbnb on Wednesday (Feb 25) showed searches made in 2025 for check-ins during Ramadan 2026 jumped sharply year-on-year, while interest for Hari Raya stays rose by nearly 50%.
With Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Hari Raya arriving within weeks of one another, many Malaysians are turning the festive stretch into extended reunions, blending balik kampung traditions with group getaways.
Major urban centres such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Ipoh and Melaka remained the most popular domestic destinations, but festive travel was also spreading beyond city limits.
For Hari Raya, interest grew across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Perak, reflecting the enduring balik kampung tradition, while Chinese New Year travel extended further to East Malaysia, including Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
International travel also saw a spike during the festive period, with Tokyo, Osaka and Perth among the most searched overseas destinations as Malaysians maximised public holidays.
According to Airbnb’s country head for India and South-East Asia, Amanpreet Bajaj, the surge reflects how travel has become part of festive reconnections for Malaysian families.
“With major celebrations converging next year, people are planning earlier to return home for balik kampung, gather extended families and enjoy meaningful getaways together,” he said.
Togetherness continued to define festive travel behaviour, with group and family stays accounting for more than 80% of searches across the celebrations.
Larger spaces were especially in demand, with searches for entire homes rising by about 95%, signalling a preference for accommodation that can comfortably host family gatherings.
Popular amenities during festive stays included swimming pools, washing machines, WiFi, parking and air conditioning, highlighting practical needs for longer holiday visits.
“We’re also seeing strong demand for larger homes that allow families and friends to celebrate comfortably, reflecting how shared spaces continue to shape festive travel,” Bajaj added.
