KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- agoda, one of the world's fastest-growing online travel booking platforms, has found travelers in Malaysia are increasingly traveling solo. agoda's booking data shows there was a 50% increase in one-person bookings since 2016.
The growth of solo travel in Malaysia is trending towards domestic travel -- domestic solo bookings grew at more than twice the rate (62%) compared to international solo bookings (27%). Kuching, in particular, was identified as a popular destination for solo travel, growing by 53% in 2017 amongst Malaysian solo travelers.
agoda's Global Director for Brand and Communications, Andrew Edwards, lends some insight: "Less than a two hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching is the perfect destination for Malaysian solo travelers looking to experience an island getaway without venturing too far. Known for its expansive national parks with plenty to explore, the Sarawak region of Borneo provides the perfect escape from Peninsula Malaysia minus the language barrier of overseas travel."
On an international front, Taiwan was identified as the top growing overseas destination for Malaysian solo travelers, with 41% growth in 2017. With its capital of Taipei only a four-and-a-half-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, plus the reputation of friendly locals, Taiwan is the ideal destination for Malaysian solo travelers looking to immerse themselves in a new culture.
Other popular international destinations for solo travelers from Malaysia include Japan (30% growth in 2017), Thailand (37%) and Indonesia (38%).
The increasing number of solo travelers reflects the undeniable shift occurring in the travel industry. Google trends reports solid growth in interest in solo travel over the past 10 years, with July 2017 seeing the most searches for 'solo travel' ever on Google.
"As the far-flung corners of the world are becoming easier to reach, travelers are more willing to experience destinations with the freedom that comes from traveling alone, allowing them to fully immerse themselves amongst a new culture. Solo travelers can completely absorb the culture of their chosen destination and make choices based on their own preferred experiences, creating a whole new sense of freedom," said Edwards.
About the Research
agoda one-person booking data was collated between January 2016 and December 2017.
About agoda
agoda (Nasdaq:PCLN) is one of the world's fastest-growing online travel booking platforms.
