Growing Interest for Year-End Domestic Travel with Kuala Lumpur at the Forefront

5 January 2026

SINGAPORE: Malaysian travellers are increasingly considering domestic destinations for December travel, reveals digital travel platform Agoda. The insight is based on accommodation searches made on the platform between September and November for stays during the holiday month in 2025. The five most popular domestic destinations all recorded higher search volumes compared to the previous year, highlighting a growing interest in local trips during the year-end holiday period in 2025.

Kuala Lumpur tops the list of domestic searches. Penang comes in second, followed by Malacca, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru. All domestic destinations experienced a double-digit increase in accommodation searches, with Kuala Lumpur showing the highest year-on-year growth at 18%, indicating the strong appeal of trips close to home.

For Malaysian travellers looking abroad, Hat Yai, Bangkok, and Tokyo rank as the most searched destinations, followed by Singapore and Phuket. The highest year-on-year increase in accommodation searches was seen in Krabi, Thailand, with 35%. Seoul, South Korea’s capital, followed closely with 33%.

Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda, said, "The increasing enthusiasm among Malaysians for domestic travel is wonderful to see, considering the variety of incredible destinations right here at home. At the same time, the rising interest in places like Seoul and Krabi highlights the diverse and dynamic preferences of Malaysian travellers. Whether they are planning a cosy getaway nearby or preparing for an exciting adventure abroad, Agoda is committed to offering great value deals to Malaysian customers."

With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda provides flexible options and deals to help travellers discover destinations that match their plans and preferences. Find the best offers on Agoda’s mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect year-end holiday.