KUALA LUMPUR – A recent survey on travel trends in Asia revealed that Malaysians are planning to prioritise family time in their travels next year, with relaxation, family trips, exploring new destinations, and work-leisure balance dominating the travel landscape for 2025.
The Agoda 2025 Travel Trends survey, conducted in October 2024, gathered responses from 1,081 travellers across 11 Asian markets and highlighted key travel motivations, with a strong emphasis on family-oriented trips.
According to the survey, 40% of Malaysian respondents plan to travel with family in 2025, while 39% said visiting family is a major reason to travel. This family focus is mirrored across the region at 47%, with Indonesia leading the way at 58% expecting to take multi-generational trips with loved ones. Family travel ranks higher than trips taken by couples (23%) or solo travellers (19%) in Malaysia, with similar patterns observed across Asia
Digital nomadism is also emerging as a growing trend, with 1 in 15 Malaysians (about 7%) planning to work remotely while travelling in 2025, trailing slightly behind the Philippines with 1 in 14 respondents having this preference.
This trend reflects a shift towards flexible work arrangements, as more companies allow employees to combine work and travel. Regionally, 1 in 25 respondents expect to work remotely in 2025. The rise of digital nomadism is transforming how people approach travel, with Southeast Asia in particular becoming a hotspot for remote workers.
Additionally, relaxation continues to be the primary motivator for Malaysians. Around 79% of respondents in Malaysia plan to travel for relaxation in 2025, following closely behind countries like Singapore (87%) and Taiwan (84%). Regionally, 75% of all travellers say escaping the daily grind is their key reason to travel.
Technology is also playing a pivotal role in shaping how travellers plan their holidays as 80% of Malaysian respondents said they use travel apps to assist in booking their trips, reflecting a growing reliance on technology for planning. This places Malaysia at the top of the list behind India, where 90% of respondents use travel apps.
Overall, 80% of travellers in the region plan to use travel apps, highlighting the centrality of technology in travel planning across Asia. Additionally, about one in eight (12%) travellers in the region are interested in virtual reality tours as part of their travel planning.
Budget-conscious travel is another trend gaining traction in Malaysia. The survey revealed that 63% of Malaysians prefer accommodation costing under US$250 (RM1,117) per night. Despite this, 44% of Malaysians are planning international trips, with over half (54%) intending to maintain or increase their travel frequency in 2025.
Regionally, 65% of travellers plan to spend less than US$250 per night on accommodation, with 52% expecting to travel internationally more in 2025 compared to 2024.
Exploring new destinations is another strong trend for 2025. The survey found that 84% of all respondents are eager to discover new places, with 29% of Malaysians citing social media, particularly Instagram, as a major source of travel inspiration. This figure is on par with Indonesia, where social media also plays a significant role in travel decision-making.
Overall, 71% of travellers in the region say personal interests and hobbies drive their travel choices, followed by great value deals (56%) and recommendations from friends and family (33%).
Finally, theme parks remain a popular reason to travel, with destinations like Legoland and Genting SkyWorlds in Malaysia attracting travellers. One in eight respondents across Asia (13%) plans to visit a theme park in 2025, with Indonesians leading the way at 20%. The regional trend indicates that theme parks continue to be a significant draw, with travellers from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan also planning trips to visit popular amusement destinations.
Agoda chief product officer Ittai Chore commented: “At Agoda, we love seeing how travellers are planning their adventures for 2025. Whether it’s unwinding with family or exploring new places, we’re here to make every traveller’s dream trip memorable and are ready to help them every step of the way.”
As the travel landscape evolves, the findings from Agoda’s survey show that Malaysians are embracing family-oriented holidays, exploring new destinations, and increasingly blending work with travel. These trends will shape the travel industry as we move into 2025, with an emphasis on flexibility, technology, and meaningful experiences across Asia. – December 4, 2024
