KUCHING: Twice as many people have been looking up accommodation in Kuching as Malaysians look for shorter domestic getaways during the Merdeka and school holiday period, according to Agoda.
The digital travel platform said Malaysians are looking closer to home for quick getaways, with stays averaging approximately two days across the destinations studied.
Agoda’s search data for stays between Aug 22 and Sept 7 showed Kota Kinabalu recorded the highest overall accommodation search interest, followed by Langkawi and Kuantan.
Kuching recorded accommodation searches at approximately two times compared with the same period in 2025, while Miri saw searches increase 2.4 times.
Kota Bharu recorded the largest increase, with accommodation searches reaching approximately 3.6 times compared with the same period last year, followed by Miri at 2.4 times, Johor Bahru at 2.3 times and Ipoh at 2.1 times.
Fabian Teja, Country Director, Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda, said travellers are becoming more intentional with the time they have.
“Rather than waiting for a longer holiday, many Malaysians are planning trips around long weekends and school breaks while still seeking rewarding experiences,” he said in a statement.
He said it is encouraging to see continued interest in familiar favourites alongside destinations attracting renewed attention.
“This shows that travellers are balancing comfort with curiosity. Whether it is a beach escape, food-focused weekend or cultural getaway, Agoda helps travellers find accommodation, flights and activities that make every trip worthwhile,” he said.
Kuantan is among the three most searched destinations and recorded search growth of 2.8 times in 2026 compared with the same period last year.
Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu also recorded further growth, with searches rising by 69 per cent and 53 per cent respectively.
Agoda said the findings suggested Malaysians are exploring a wider range of local getaways this Merdeka season, from food-focused weekends and cultural escapes to lively city breaks and slower-paced trips.
The approximately two-day average stay recorded across all eight destinations reflected how Malaysians were planning their holidays around work schedules, school calendars and other everyday commitments.
Agoda said travellers are choosing destinations that offer the chance to recharge within a shorter window, making the most of long weekends and public holidays without needing extensive time away.
Agoda said it offers more than six million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes and over 300,000 activities.
