Agoda: Malaysia booms as popular Lunar New Year choice

Malaysia has emerged as the third most sought-after destination for Lunar New Year celebrations, according to the latest insights from the digital travel platform Agoda.

The travel data reveals that Malaysia follows closely behind Japan and Thailand as a favoured Lunar New Year destination, with the bustling city of Bangkok identified as the most preferred international destination during this significant holiday season.

Thailand & Malaysia top destinations across Asia

Agoda’s booking data highlights the top inbound markets to Malaysia during the Lunar New Year festivities, with Singapore, Brunei, China, Indonesia, and South Korea taking the lead.

Notably, China has made a strong comeback as a top-five source market for Malaysia, marking its return since 2019.

This resurgence positions China as the third-highest source market overall and secures its place in the top-five inbound lists for several countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Agoda’s statement notes the five most popular destinations visited within Malaysia during this period. Kuala Lumpur takes the lead, followed by Johor Baru, Kota Kinabalu, Malacca, and Penang, showcasing the diverse attractions Malaysia offers to Lunar New Year tourists.

Agoda: Asia welcomes Lunar New Year travellers 

While the official date for Lunar New Year is February 10, the holiday is extended to a long weekend in many Asian cities and spans a week for countries like China, Japan (Spring Holiday), and Vietnam (Tet).

Traditionally one of the peak travel periods, the Lunar New Year sees a surge in tourists, particularly from mainland China.

Enric Casals, Agoda’s Associate Vice President for Southeast Asia, highlights the significance of the Lunar New Year period for travel. “Since 2019, hotels and destinations have diversified the appeal of their markets with visa-free travel and other incentives.

That has made them less reliant on one market and more appealing to new travellers. But the travel industry will no doubt be looking forward to welcoming back more travellers from China this year.”

Agoda’s findings also shed light on the travel preferences of Malaysian tourists during the Lunar New Year period.

The top outbound destinations for Malaysian travelers include Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Noteworthy choices among these international destinations for Malaysian tourists are the Thai cities of Hat Yai, Bangkok, and Krabi, alongside Bali and Seoul.

The Lunar New Year continues to be a significant driver for travel, showcasing the diversity and richness of cultural and leisure options in the region.

With outbound travellers primarily coming from markets like South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Japan, and the most-visited markets by international tourists being Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the Lunar New Year festivities contribute to the dynamic and vibrant tapestry of Asia’s travel landscape.