New Trip.com booking data for the first quarter of 2026 positions Malaysia among the world’s leading travel hotspots, with Kuala Lumpur ranking in the global top 10 cities for planned visits.
Malaysia, is strengthening its position as a leading global travel destination in the first quarter of 2026, according to new travel trends insights released by Trip.com Group, as the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign officially gets underway.
Based on booking data for travel between 1 January and 31 March 2026, Malaysia ranks among the top five outbound destinations for travellers from Southeast Asia and Mainland China. The country also places within the top ten destinations for visitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, reflecting sustained regional and intra-Asia demand.
On a global level, Kuala Lumpur has ranked 8th among the most popular cities that travellers plan to visit in early 2026, joining established destinations such as Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok. The ranking highlights the city’s growing appeal among international travellers during the opening months of the year.
Commenting on the findings, Stephane Thong, General Manager of Trip.com Malaysia, said, “It is encouraging to see Malaysia steadily gaining momentum as a preferred destination for travellers across Asia and beyond. From our vibrant cities and natural landscapes to our family-friendly attractions and rich cultural heritage, Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings continue to resonate with travellers. This year, Trip.com is focused on shining a spotlight on all that this country has to offer in support of Visit Malaysia 2026, and strengthening Malaysia’s growing appeal as a leading destination in the region.”
The data also provides insights into outbound travel behaviour among Malaysian travellers in early 2026. Mid-haul flights, covering distances between 2,000km and 5,000km, along with short-haul flights under 2,000km, account for the majority of bookings made for the first three months of the year.
Domestically, the most popular cities for Malaysians based on flight bookings are Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching, and Johor Bahru. For international travel, China, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia are the top destinations.
From a demographic perspective, Millennials remain the largest group of travellers, accounting for 51 percent of total booking volume. This exceeds the combined share of Gen X travellers at 24 percent and Gen Z travellers at 21 percent, underscoring the continued influence of Millennials on travel demand.
Theme parks continue to play a central role in driving travel demand. According to Trip.com data, the top three international attractions booked by Malaysians are major theme parks across Asia, underscoring a strong preference for immersive, family-oriented experiences.
Within Malaysia, similar patterns are observed, with Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, and Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park emerging as the most popular domestic attractions for 2026.
The trends outlined are based on Trip.com Group booking data covering travel between 1 January and 31 March 2026, offering an early indication of destination performance and traveller preferences during the opening quarter of the year.