KUCHING: Sarawak’s unique appeal as a holiday destination continues to draw Malaysian travellers for the year-end break, with Kuching remaining among the country’s six most-searched domestic destinations for December stays.
Kuching ranked fifth among the most-searched domestic destinations for December, alongside Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Malacca according to accommodation search data from digital travel platform Agoda.
The data also showed growing interest in destinations beyond Malaysia’s better-known gateways, with Sibu entering Agoda’s domestic top 20 at 19th place after recording a 78 per cent year-on-year increase in searches.
Agoda country director for Malaysia and Brunei, Fabian Teja said the trend presented an opportunity for secondary destinations to attract more visitors by highlighting distinctive experiences, good value and ease of travel.
“Malaysia’s established holiday hotspots continue to lead, but travellers are also considering lesser-known places for their year-end breaks.
“That gives secondary destinations a real chance to attract more visitors when they offer something distinctive, good value and a trip that is straightforward to plan.
“Malaysians are open to going somewhere new, but they still need a strong reason to choose it,” he said.
According to Agoda, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching retained fourth and fifth places respectively, reflecting their continued popularity among Malaysians planning year-end trips.
For Sarawak, Sibu’s entry into the top 20 reflects a growing interest in exploring beyond the state’s main tourism gateway.
Agoda said Sibu offered travellers a different way to experience Sarawak, with its markets, local dining and riverfront providing opportunities to discover the destination through its everyday character.
Meanwhile, other domestic destinations also recorded significant growth in searches.
Kuantan ranked 13th overall but saw searches increase by 111 per cent, while Kuala Terengganu climbed from 18th to 14th after searches rose 114 per cent, marking the largest climb among destinations that appeared in the top 20 in both years.
Langkawi retained third place, with searches growing 58 per cent, while Malacca remained sixth with an 82 per cent increase.
Johor Bahru and Port Dickson also moved up the rankings to seventh and eighth places respectively, reflecting demand for convenient year-end getaways.
Agoda said the findings indicated that while Malaysia’s familiar holiday destinations continued to dominate, travellers were increasingly considering alternative destinations that offered distinctive experiences and convenient travel options.
For travellers planning east coast trips in December, Agoda advised checking current weather conditions and transport schedules before confirming their itineraries.
