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Malaysians Keeping New Year Celebrations Homebound, According to Hotels.com

KUALA LUMPUR – December 22, 2015: Malaysians spent a huge amount of time, energy and imagination during 2015 planning where they want to kick off 2016, according to search data released by the leading online accommodation booking website, Hotels.com. Search activity has exploded – in some cases by more than 200% – and Malaysian destinations are proving to be the overwhelming location of choice, with local attractions taking the first six spots in the Hotels.com Top 10 Travel table – most search destinations. Hotels.com most searched destination for year-end getaway (30 Dec 2015 – 2 Jan 2016) ADVERTISEMENTS Ranking Destination YoY growth 1 Langkawi 136% 2 Kuala Lumpur 111% 3 Penang 129% 4 Malacca 234% 5 Cameron Highlands 618% 6 Port Dickson […]

KUALA LUMPUR – December 22, 2015: Malaysians spent a huge amount of time, energy and imagination during 2015 planning where they want to kick off 2016, according to search data released by the leading online accommodation booking website, Hotels.com. Search activity has exploded – in some cases by more than 200% – and Malaysian destinations are proving to be the overwhelming location of choice, with local attractions taking the first six spots in the Hotels.com Top 10 Travel table – most search destinations. Hotels.com most searched destination for year-end getaway (30 Dec 2015 – 2 Jan 2016) ADVERTISEMENTS Ranking Destination YoY growth 1 Langkawi 136% 2 Kuala Lumpur 111% 3 Penang 129% 4 Malacca 234% 5 Cameron Highlands 618% 6 Port Dickson […]

KUALA LUMPUR – December 22, 2015: Malaysians spent a huge amount of time, energy and imagination during 2015 planning where they want to kick off 2016, according to search data released by the leading online accommodation booking website, Hotels.com. Search activity has exploded – in some cases by more than 200% – and Malaysian destinations are proving to be the overwhelming location of choice, with local attractions taking the first six spots in the Hotels.com Top 10 Travel table – most search destinations.

Hotels.com most searched destination for year-end getaway

(30 Dec 2015 – 2 Jan 2016)

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Ranking Destination YoY growth
1 Langkawi 136%
2 Kuala Lumpur 111%
3 Penang 129%
4 Malacca 234%
5 Cameron Highlands 618%
6 Port Dickson 212%
7 Bangkok 106%
8 Taipei 28%
9 Hong Kong 39%
10 Singapore 37%

The figures, which looked at website search data from 1 January to 6 December 2015, show that lovely Langkawi remains top of the trips for Malaysian’s planning to check-in between 30 December 2015 and 2 January 2016 – with searches up a hefty 136% on last year. However, the Cameron Highlands, which sits in fifth place, is proving to be incredibly popular, with the number of searches rising by a phenomenal 618% compared to last year.

“When it comes to seeing in the new year, Malaysians clearly like to celebrate at home, and they are willing to look long and hard for the best deals. From the search data we’ve studied, it looks like there will be some serious partying taking place across the country – from Langkawi to KL, with Penang, Malacca, the Cameron Highlands and Port Dickson,” said Nelson Allen, Senior Director of Marketing, Asia Pacific, Hotels.com.

According to Allen, the secret of Langkawi’s success may be its duty free status as much as its fame as an eco-tourism get-away for the growing numbers of Malaysian’s who are learning an increasing appreciation of nature. He puts the amazingly high level of interest in the Cameron Highlands down to it’s bracingly cool climate.

“The Cameron Highlands is a fantastic substitute for Malaysians who want to enjoy a ‘winter’ holiday, but don’t want to spend a fortune travelling to northern hemisphere destinations – like Europe or North America – where the weakening MYR doesn’t go as far,” Allen said.

The capital Kuala Lumpur remains sitting pretty in second place in the Hotels.com Top 10 Travel table with 111% more searches than last year, possibly due to the effect of the city’s year-end sales and it’s melting pot of cultures and cuisines.

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The biggest international winner was Bangkok, which sits in seventh place, notching up 106% more searches than last year, perhaps due to the near parity between the Thai and Malaysian currencies as well as the legendary food and shopping.

All travel lovers, it’s time to bid farewell to 2015 and to welcome the new year of 2016 with a homebound or overseas getaway! Check out Hotels.com for your next trip and start collecting the free night from Hotels.com Rewards now!

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