From slow travel to quality time with family, a new global survey by Agoda reveals the top travel trends among Malaysians in 2021
Despite the challenges and hardships of 2020, research has revealed that the desire for travel, connection, meaning and quality time with loved ones continue to burn bright.
“Travel will resume eventually, because, ultimately, the human desire to travel is unstoppable,” said Tim Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development, Agoda. “More than that – people are committed to making a difference, traveling with people who matter, open to more unplanned, last-minute trips, and considering the environmental impact they make as they travel.”
However, the hows and whys of we choose to travel might shape up differently in 2021.
According to a new global survey from Agoda, which polled over 16,000 adults online, most respondents were looking forward to spending more quality time with loved ones this year and doing things that matter or make a difference. Closer to home, Malaysians feel similar – for one, more than one in three Malaysians are looking forward to making new memories and spending time with their friends and family.
Below, we’ve listed out which travel trends will be big for Malaysians in 2021.
Quality time with loved ones
In the wake of social distancing, movement control restrictions and festivities spent apart, it’s no surprise that people are yearning to reconnect with loved ones. Spending more quality time with loved ones is what most people from United Kingdom (UK) and Thailand, the United States (US), the Philippines, Malaysia and China are most looking forward to in the new year. And when they travel in 2021, 37% of Malaysians are committed to doing so with friends and family.
READ MORE: What will travel look like post Covid-19? These travel insiders weigh in
Slow-paced travel
Traveling at a slower pace is the second most popular commitment for Singaporeans and Malaysians, once they’re off jet setting again. “Slow travel”, a trend that’s slowly picking up in recent years, is an intentional and relaxing experience of a destination, as opposed to a hurried hopscotching through bucket lists or chasing Instagram-worthy photo ops.
Like many others living in fast-paced cities, 25% of Malaysians have responded that they will be opting travelling at a slower pace in 2021. Luckily, while international globetrotting adventures are still not on the cards yet, Malaysia is ripe with opportunities for slow travel. With plenty of natural wonders, cultural and historical gems, the travel-hungry can opt for self-guided walking tours, bike rides and exploring domestic hidden gems to satiate those bouts of wanderlust.
Conscious and meaningful travel
As it turns out, younger Malaysians (aged 18 to 24) are prioritizing doing things that make a difference in 2021. Specifically, eco-friendly travel is also becoming a priority among Malaysians, with 15% committed to making more eco-friendly travel choices in the new year. The good news is that there are greener travel options today ranging from eco-friendly tours, sustainable hotels and more, which makes it easier for environmentally-conscious travellers to explore the globe with ease.
READ MORE: Vegan tourism is on the rise – in Asia and across the globe
Unhindered travel
Among older Malaysians (above 45 years), pent-up wanderlust has made them crave unhindered travel in 2021. This means that on top of travelling more with friends and family or opting for a slower vacation pace, they’re also now seeking longer, uninterrupted vacations – as opposed to bursts of mini-vacations. This suggests that longer-haul, multi-city and multi-destination vacations are likely to be a popular trend in 2021.
