KUALA LUMPUR, January 27 – According to booking data from Agoda, Malaysia emerges as one of the three most sought-after destinations for Lunar New Year celebrations, ranking closely behind Japan and Thailand. Bangkok, within Thailand, stands out as the preferred international city destination during this significant regional holiday. Agoda’s data highlights Singapore, Brunei, China, Indonesia, and South Korea as the top inbound markets to Malaysia, with China rejoining the list for the first time since 2019.
The five most popular destinations within Malaysia during the Lunar New Year include the cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur, followed by Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Malacca, and Penang. Despite the official celebration falling on February 10, 2024, the extended holiday period creates travel opportunities in various Asian markets, with week-long celebrations in China, Japan (Spring Holiday), and Vietnam (Tet). China’s return as a top-five source market is notable, emphasizing the resurgence of Chinese tourists in the region. Agoda’s Associate Vice President for Southeast Asia, Enric Casals, highlighted the significance of the Lunar New Year period for travel.
He noted that hotels and destinations have diversified their markets, attracting new travelers with incentives like visa-free travel. While becoming less reliant on a single market, the industry looks forward to welcoming more Chinese travelers this year. The trends also reveal that Malaysian travelers are exploring diverse international destinations, with Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea topping their choices. Agoda’s expansive platform, offering over 3.9 million holiday properties, flights, and activities, is well-positioned to cater to evolving travel preferences during the Lunar New Year festivities.
