Malaysia

A report by Trip.com Group has reported that: 91% of Malaysians’ travel choice is influenced by movies, TV shows and digital content, the highest in APAC 72% seek scenic sea views and fresh ocean air 64% seek out unique destinations like Jeju Island, Tokyo and the Maldives Unique immersive experiences being sought out include: Underwater hotel stays (43%) Dark Sky stargazing trips (35%) and Cultural Immersion Stays (35%) 63% appreciate all-inclusive packages Wellness and spa are a priority for female travellers For sports tourism: 62% of Malaysian travellers plan trips around football 42% around Formula 41% around basketball Men prefer football (73%) and F1 (49%), women horse racing (25%) and ice hockey (21%) For music: 66% of Malaysians have planned a vacation around a concert 44% are willing to travel internationally for live music experiences 78% of millennial Malaysians are open to travelling to more remote destinations to get cheaper concert tickets Regarding food whilst on vacation: 78% of Malaysian travellers prioritise food festivals 73% prioritise restaurants with unique and scenic views 73% prioritise hotel dining 25% have interest in wine and beer tasting Just 16% see an interest in molecular gastronomy

Religious Affairs Minister said Malaysia is not affected by the Saudi Arab government’s new rule to ban children under 12 from joining haj in 2025. He said Tabung Haji already imposed an age limit of 15 years

Uzbekistan President said they will develop a program to offer pre-Umrah visits to Uzbekistan for pilgrims from Malaysia and Indonesia

The Tourism Ministry revoked Al Quds Umrah & Tours’ licence from 24 Jan, following an Umrah fraud allegation

Trip.com said Malaysia recorded +118% YoY outbound bookings for the Lunar New Year holiday and domestic travel recorded +65% YoY. For inbound bookings, China is the leading source for Malaysia inbound bookings, with primary departures from Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. Other cities such as Changsha recorded a 381% increase, followed by Chongqing (233%) and Qingdao (152%). Malaysian tourists preferred outbound destinations such as Thailand, Japan, China, Indonesia, and Singapore. The data shows Malaysian's interest in visiting medium and long-haul destinations recorded 55% and 60%