KUALA LUMPUR, 17 July 2026 – Despite rising fuel prices and ongoing cost-of-living pressures driving travel costs higher across Asia-Pacific (APAC), nearly half (45%) of Malaysian travellers remain confident about leisure travel in the second half of 2026, reflecting a more deliberate approach to how they plan and experience their trips.
The latest Klook Travel Pulse 2026 (2H Edition) reveals that Malaysian travellers are among the region’s most experience-led planners, with nearly seven in 10 (69%) no longer starting their travel planning with a destination. Coupled with one of the highest deal-seeking rates in Southeast Asia at 55%, ahead of regional markets including Singapore (47%), Thailand (51%) and Indonesia (35%), the findings point to a growing preference among Malaysian travellers to prioritise experiences while seeking the best value.
This shift towards more intentional travel is reflected in the way Malaysians are planning and spending:
- Smart trimming: 1 in 2 travellers (50%) have chosen to book earlier to secure better prices and outsmart peak-season hikes.
- Quality over quantity: One-third of Malaysian travellers (33%) may have decided on lesser trips over the past six months, but they ensured they spent more time choosing the right ones.
To fuel this new wave of experience-led travel, Malaysians continue turning to technology for inspiration, as witnessed by more than half of Malaysians (53%) using AI to discover a destination, attraction or experience. From navigating real-time logistics to unearthing hidden spots, AI has become the ultimate trip companion:
- On-trip assistance (40%): Utilising various AI tools for assistance such as instant translation and mid-trip itinerary shifts.
- Local hidden gems (37%): Asking AI to surface unique, off-the-beaten-path local recommendations.
- Getting around (36%): Checking for transport routes or ways to get around.
However, as many as 3 in 5 travellers (60%) firmly drew a line at the checkout page, demanding verified reviews on trusted travel platforms before making a financial commitment. Only 30% trust AI-generated suggestions, while 1 in 2 (50%) refer to official tourism boards or travel guidebooks before committing to a travel plan. This indicates that while algorithms excel at driving creative wanderlust, human validation remains the absolute gatekeeper for consumer confidence.
“Cost pressures across APAC this year were real. It did change how people traveled, just not in the way you might expect,” said Marcus Yong, Vice President of Global Marketing at Klook.
“The overwhelming response was to plan more carefully and not pull back, showing the enduring nature of travel and people’s unwillingness to compromise on experiences.”
As economic realities continue to shape consumer behavior, the findings suggest that travel has shifted from being viewed as an indulgence to an experience worth planning carefully for.
