Malaysia’s sporting events drive surge in travel interest
Major races such as the KL Marathon, IRONMAN Langkawi, and Mt Kinabalu Climbathon fuel spikes in domestic and international accommodation searches.
Sporting events in Malaysia are boosting accommodation interest from both local and international travelers, data from Agoda revealed.
The online travel platform recorded higher accommodation searches around major events such as the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon in Sabah, and the IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi triathlon.
For instance, during the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon weekend from 4 to 5 October, domestic searches rose 24%, while international interest grew 7% year-on-year (YoY).
The marathon drew the most travel interest from Indonesia, Singapore, and China. Agoda also recorded significant growth in searches from several of the top 10 markets showing travel interest in Kuala Lumpur during the period.
These markets include Bangladesh (+224%), Hong Kong SAR (+73%), South Korea (+48%), Taiwan (+25%), and Japan (+22%).
During the IRONMAN 70.3 on 1 November, the top five markets with the highest travel interest to Langkawi were Singapore, India, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Japan.
Notably, travelers from South Korea expressed the strongest growth in interest during the event, with a 536% increase in searches, followed by Bangladesh with a 148% increase.
Meanwhile, the 32nd Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon, which took place on 19 October, recorded increased travel interest, with South Koreans leading, followed by Singaporeans and Chinese travelers.
Singaporeans, in particular, showed an 84% increase in searches for Kota Kinabalu, the nearest major destination to Mount Kinabalu, during the race period.
In October, the Malaysian government implemented a 50% income tax exemption on the statutory income of private companies organising international arts, cultural, tourism, sports, and recreational competitions involving foreign participants.
“Sporting events are much more than competitions. They inspire exploration and discovery. Beyond race weekends, these occasions give travelers the opportunity to experience more of what Malaysia has to offer, from its islands and rainforests to its colourful cities,” Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda said.
The online travel platform recorded higher accommodation searches around major events such as the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon in Sabah, and the IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi triathlon.
For instance, during the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon weekend from 4 to 5 October, domestic searches rose 24%, while international interest grew 7% year-on-year (YoY).
The marathon drew the most travel interest from Indonesia, Singapore, and China. Agoda also recorded significant growth in searches from several of the top 10 markets showing travel interest in Kuala Lumpur during the period.
These markets include Bangladesh (+224%), Hong Kong SAR (+73%), South Korea (+48%), Taiwan (+25%), and Japan (+22%).
During the IRONMAN 70.3 on 1 November, the top five markets with the highest travel interest to Langkawi were Singapore, India, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Japan.
Notably, travelers from South Korea expressed the strongest growth in interest during the event, with a 536% increase in searches, followed by Bangladesh with a 148% increase.
Meanwhile, the 32nd Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon, which took place on 19 October, recorded increased travel interest, with South Koreans leading, followed by Singaporeans and Chinese travelers.
Singaporeans, in particular, showed an 84% increase in searches for Kota Kinabalu, the nearest major destination to Mount Kinabalu, during the race period.
In October, the Malaysian government implemented a 50% income tax exemption on the statutory income of private companies organising international arts, cultural, tourism, sports, and recreational competitions involving foreign participants.
“Sporting events are much more than competitions. They inspire exploration and discovery. Beyond race weekends, these occasions give travelers the opportunity to experience more of what Malaysia has to offer, from its islands and rainforests to its colourful cities,” Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda said.
