Trip.com reports that Malaysia is emerging as a key travel destination for international travellers, a timely development following the launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative.
According to the travel service provider’s latest booking data from the start of the year, Malaysia ranks among the top five outbound destinations for travellers from Southeast Asia and Mainland China.
At the same time, it stands among the top ten destinations of choice for visitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.
On a global level, Kuala Lumpur ranked eighth on the list of most popular cities that travellers plan to visit, joining other perennial favourites such as Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok.
Trip.com general manager in Malaysia Stephane Thong remarked: “It is encouraging to see Malaysia steadily gaining momentum as a preferred destination for travellers across Asia and beyond. From our vibrant cities and natural landscapes to our family-friendly attractions and rich cultural heritage, Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings continue to resonate with travellers. This year, Trip.com is focused on shining a spotlight on all that this country has to offer in support of VM2026, and strengthening Malaysia’s growing appeal as a leading destination in the region.”
Key trends for Q1-2026
Trip.com data revealed that Malaysians are heavily favouring regional travel, with mid-haul and short-haul flights accounting for the majority of bookings made for the first three months of the year.
Domestically, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching, and Johor Bahru are the most popular cities based on flight bookings.
Meanwhile, China, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia lead the list of overseas destinations for Malaysians.
In terms of demographics by age, millennials remain the largest group of travellers, contributing to around 51 percent of the booking volume, surpassing bookings made by Gen X and Gen Z travellers combined.
It was also noted that Malaysians are seeking out immersive, family-friendly experiences, with theme parks continuing to drive strong booking demand.
Iconic franchises stand out as frequent additions to travel itineraries abroad, as the top three international attractions booked on Trip.com by Malaysians are for major theme parks across Asia.
At home, Malaysians demonstrate similar preferences, with Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, and Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park standing out as the hometown favourites for 2026.
