More Malaysians Travelling Abroad during Chinese New Year Holidays

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 February 2026 – Travel in the Year of the Horse is gaining momentum as bookings for Lunar New Year travel across Trip.com Group’s platforms saw strong growth, rising by double digits compared to last year. With extended public holidays across the region, travellers leaned into longer getaways, combining family gatherings with leisure.

Malaysians were no stranger to this upward trend. According to Trip.com Group data, more than half of flights booked by Malaysians were to international destinations. While Southeast Asian favourites such as Singapore and Bangkok continued to be popular picks, Malaysians also showed a willingness to travel further during this year’s festive season to cities in Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and more.

Domestically, top cities for flight bookings were Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. Unsurprisingly, most Malaysians took advantage of the weekend preceding the holidays to make their trip, with the busiest departure dates falling on 14-15 February. Planning behaviour also shifted, as half of domestic bookings were made more than 60 days in advance, compared to the previous year when the majority bookings were made within two months of travel.

Malaysia Attracts Growth in Inbound Demand

Malaysia continued to strengthen its appeal among international visitors during the festive period. Inbound travel bookings increased 33% year-on-year, with Kuala Lumpur recording double-digit booking growth. Five-star hotels accounted for nearly half of all stays booked, demonstrating travellers’ clear preference for comfort and quality during longer trips.

City exploration, immersive experiences, and family fun were high on tourists’ itineraries.  KL Hop-on Hop-off topped the list of most-booked attractions, indicating a strong interest in discovering the capital. Other attractions nationwide also drew interest, including in Langkawi, Johor, Genting Highlands, and Penang, underscoring Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings.

“Chinese New Year is traditionally a time for reunions and celebrations, and travel has become an undeniably integral part of how people mark this occasion. This year, Malaysians planned earlier for domestic travel, indicating a desire to make the most of their extended break when returning back to their hometowns, while many also travelled abroad, showing shifting trends in how and where families are choosing to gather and celebrate. At the same time, Malaysia continues to attract strong international interest, with premium stays and diverse attractions enhancing its appeal. Trip.com remains committed to making every journey seamless, so travellers can focus on spending quality time with their loved ones during the holidays,” said Stephane Thong, General Manager, Trip.com Malaysia.

Note: Trends highlighted are based on Trip.com Group booking data for travel between 13-25 February 2026. Year-on-year comparisons were made against booking data for travel between 26 January-6 February 2025.

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