Visa has released Malaysian findings from its 2026 Global Travel Intentions (GTI) study, a survey tracking global travel patterns conducted across more than 47,000 respondents worldwide, including approximately 1,000 in Malaysia and over 17,000 across Asia Pacific. The study finds that Malaysians are not reducing travel activity but are approaching it with greater deliberateness, driven by cost awareness, safety considerations, and increased use of digital tools.
Visa: 8 Out Of 10 Malaysians Prefer APAC Destinations
Nearly eight in ten Malaysian respondents (78%) identified Asia Pacific as their primary travel region. Japan ranked as the top intended destination, followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Mainland China, and Singapore; relaxation was cited as the leading motivation for travel (48%), followed by spending time with family and friends (40%) and exploring new experiences (31%). Affordability (36%) and safety (31%) were also noted as factors in destination selection.
Planning behavior among Malaysian travelers has become more methodical, the study alleges, with greater attention to accommodation, transportation, insurance, visa requirements, and destination conditions before departure. Given that tech brands frequently loves to use travel as one of the real-life use cases of AI assistants, it’s perhaps not too surprising to find that among those who use AI for such purposes, 58% use it to discover destinations and 54% use it to build itineraries. In some cases, users also rely on AI for reading reviews and comparing prices.
Payment preparation is also becoming part of pre-trip planning, with travelers checking foreign exchange rates, card compatibility, payment acceptance, and transaction security ahead of departure. With the proliferation of QR-based payments (such as WeChat Pay in China), mobile wallets lead payment usage during travel, though cards remain a widely used option across borders.
The study also pointed out that Malaysian travelers tend to secure key arrangements well in advance, with accommodation (86%), travel insurance (85%), and transportation to and from destinations (76%) typically booked before departure. Dining, local transport, and in-destination experiences are more often decided on arrival or during the trip, reflecting a preference for flexibility once on the ground.
In particular, Visa has pointed out the growing interest in event-driven travel among Malaysians, with intent to travel for international sporting events, concerts, and festivals – including FIFA World Cup 2026, Formula 1, and K-Pop events – over the next two to three years.
Pokdepinion: At least the one thing that AI is often advertised for seems to be working as intended.
