Malaysia Wins Chinese Tourists

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 11: Malaysia has emerged as a hot favorite among Chinese travelers this winter, according to recent Airbnb data. Ranking sixth in outbound search destinations, the country has seen cities like Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu become particularly popular with guests from China.

Thriving Tourism in Malaysian Cities

The data reveals that during the December 2023 to February 2024 period, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur have climbed the ranks, landing at 16th and 19th respectively among the most searched cities on Airbnb. This places them ahead of renowned global cities such as Auckland, Kyoto, and Paris.

Surge in Outbound Travel from China

Following the easing of cross-border travel restrictions in China, Airbnb has witnessed a significant surge in outbound travel from Chinese users. This includes an over 14-fold increase in searches for the upcoming Chinese New Year and a 17-fold rise during the Golden Week Holiday period last year, with Malaysia ranking seventh among the most popular destinations.

Malaysia’s Appeal to Chinese Travelers

A survey by Kantar, commissioned by Airbnb, highlighted the priorities of Chinese travelers, with reliability, amenities, customer service, uniqueness, and location being the top considerations. Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Amanpreet Bajaj, expressed excitement over Malaysia’s 30-day visa-free travel policy, anticipating it to boost visitor numbers and aid in post-pandemic tourism recovery.

Airbnb’s Initiatives to Attract Chinese Travelers

Airbnb’s efforts to attract more visitors from China include a unique Southeast Asia island-hopping experience, featuring Langkawi, Malaysia, along with islands in Thailand and Indonesia. Additionally, Airbnb is working with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to promote digital nomad-friendly DE Rantau Hubs, establishing Malaysia as a regional hub for digital nomads.
This growing interest in Malaysia as a travel destination by Chinese Airbnb users underlines the country’s rising status as a top choice for winter vacations and its potential in the global tourism industry.