As the Lunar New Year approaches, digital travel platform Agoda unveils Kuala Lumpur as the most sought-after destination for both domestic and international visitors celebrating the start of ‘The Year of the Snake’ in Malaysia. Agoda also highlights Hat Yai as the preferred destination among Malaysian travelers planning to spend the Lunar New Year holiday abroad, based on accommodation searches.
International interest in Malaysia as a Lunar New Year destination is on the rise, signaling the country’s increasing appeal. Accommodation searches by international travelers for Malaysian destinations saw a 41% gain compared to last year, with the most interest coming from Singapore, China, and Indonesia. Notably, China, and Indonesia recorded growth rates of 103% and 81%, respectively, in accommodation searches. This positive trend aligns with the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026, which aims to attract 35.6 million visitors and further cement Malaysia’s position as a global travel hub.
Domestically, accommodation searches for the Lunar New Year period have risen by 30%. Kuala Lumpur commands the lead as the most popular destination among Malaysians, with a 58% increase in searches year-on-year. The city’s festive charm, featuring themed decorations adorning malls big and small-often sparking a friendly competition for the most elaborate displays-continues to draw domestic travelers eager to celebrate in the capital.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s renowned hospitality remains a top draw for Malaysians venturing abroad to celebrate ‘The Year of the Snake’. Hat Yai and Bangkok are the top two outbound destinations, with Hat Yai seeing a 30% rise in accommodation searches compared to the previous year and Bangkok recording a 76% increase. Tokyo slithers into the spotlight this year, overtaking Bali to claim the third place as a favoured outbound destination, capturing the attention of Malaysian travelers with a 78% growth in accommodation searches.
Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda at Agoda said, “The Lunar New Year holiday is one of Asia’s most popular travel periods and it’s great to see growing interest in Malaysia from international and domestic travelers alike. Cities like Kuala Lumpur come alive during this festive period, transforming into a spectacle of lights and colours. With a mix of traditional and modern performances, festive entertainment, and activities for all ages offered throughout the city, it leaves an unforgettable impression on all who visit. Whether welcoming the new year from Malaysia or traveling abroad, Agoda offers travelers great deals on flights, accommodations and activities to usher in the Year of the Snake.”
The Lunar New Year holiday marks new beginnings and the arrival of Spring, making it a significant travel period as people look to reunite with family and friends. ‘The Year of the Snake’ symbolises rebirth and transformation and is said to present an auspicious opportunity for embracing self-discovery and exploring new horizons. Known for their association with good fortune, snakes inspire travelers to shed the old and welcome the new — whether by rediscovering familiar places or venturing abroad during this festive season.
Looking at the combined preferences of Asian travelers, Japanese cities in particular emerged as favorites for the Lunar New Year holiday period with Tokyo taking the crown, followed by Bangkok (Thailand), Osaka (Japan), Fukuoka (Japan), and Seoul (South Korea).
As travelers prepare to embrace the Year of the Snake, Agoda offers exceptional deals for their Lunar New Year holiday on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.