Latest data from Airbnb has revealed that nights booked in Malaysia on Airbnb doubled last year from 2020, with domestic travel leading the way as Malaysia ranked #1 as the top travel destination among locals in 2022*.
Malaysians are going local for their travel adventures, with Kuala Lumpur claiming the top spot, followed by Penang, Kota Bharu, Petaling and Langkawi as Malaysians’ most booked domestic destinations.*
Malaysians are also expanding their travel horizons and are eager to explore destinations both near and far. Asia Pacific featured strongly in Malaysians’ most booked overseas destinations – while the United Kingdom ranked #1; Australia, Thailand, Korea, and Indonesia rounded out the top five. Malaysians’ most booked overseas cities last year were London, Bangkok, Melbourne, Paris and Jakarta.*
With travel resuming across the globe, Airbnb has seen a 20% year-on-year spike in nights and Experiences booked globally in Q4 2022. As guests plan their overseas holidays with renewed enthusiasm, new Airbnb data found that the top countries of origin of international Airbnb guests in Malaysia in 2022 were*:
- Singapore
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Indonesia
Airbnb’s Travel Outlook for 2023
Amidst heightened interest in domestic travel, group travel with loved ones is on the rise in Malaysia. In 2022, groups were Malaysia’s most common booking type, with an average group size of approximately 4 guests*. Group travel on Airbnb jumped 180% year-on-year in 2022, as travel continues to be an avenue for many to connect with loved ones, especially during longer holidays.
Travel for the upcoming Raya Aidilfitri festivities reflects a similar pattern as families begin planning their trips. Airbnb has seen almost 600% growth in searches for check-ins** in Malaysia for the Ramadan period. The latest Airbnb data also revealed that the top 5 most-searched cities this Hari Raya include***:
- Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
- Johor Bahru, Johor
- Georgetown, Penang
- Kuching, Sarawak
- Alor Setar, Kedah
Airbnb data also revealed growing momentum for solo travel in Malaysia, as solo travel bookings doubled year-over-year in 2022.* On a macro scale, solo travelers accounted for approximately one-quarter of all global nights booked last year. Recognizing the growing number of solo travelers, Airbnb recently launched its Solo Traveler Safety feature. The feature is available in English, Malay and Chinese to enable safe and convenient travel for solo travelers in Malaysia.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “With 2025 set to be Visit Malaysia Year, we are delighted to see the current travel rebound across the country and the benefits that’s bringing to local communities across the country. Domestic travel with loved ones will be a significant priority for Malaysians this year, and Airbnb is well-placed to welcome travelers with our variety of unique stays at all price points. The enthusiasm amongst Malaysians to explore their own backyard, coupled with the growing excitement amongst international visitors to experience Malaysia’s beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is extremely encouraging. It also means more tourism dollars flowing into Malaysian communities, which in turn support local businesses and jobs. We are committed to working closely with the government and industry stakeholders to support and accelerate the ongoing travel recovery.”
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*Based on internal Airbnb data for 2022
**Based on searches for check in between 23 Mar – 21 Apr 2023 compared to 3 April – 2 May 2022, as of Q4 2022
***Based on growth in searches for Malaysia for check-ins on these dates 23 Mar – 21 Apr 2023 vs 3 April – 2 May 2022, as of Q4 2022
Note: When not referenced, all data above is based on Airbnb data in 2022. All Homes referenced here are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific Home listings on the Airbnb platform.
