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Airbnb has recorded a steady year-on-year climb in bookings during the first half of 2025 in Malaysia
The platform noted that travellers are increasingly seeking authentic local stays across the country, with Kuala Lumpur emerging as the most booked city during this period.
International tourists also continued to flock to historic hubs like Penang, Melaka, and Kuching during this time.
To help visitors navigate Malaysia's capital, Airbnb teamed up with Think City to launch the Airbnb Heritage Guide to Kuala Lumpur
The digital resource focuses on cultural landmarks and creative pockets, such as the emerging Warisan KL.
Designed to boost heritage tourism ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the project aimed to position the capital as a premier cultural destination by highlighting local narratives.
Domestic travel remained a powerful driver for the industry as local explorers chose Malaysia as their primary destination during the first six months of 2025.
International interest also stayed strong, with Singapore, China, and Indonesia leading the way. While visitors from the US and France followed, the latter recorded the fastest growth in the market.
The way we move is shifting. While group travel involving more than five people remained the most common booking type, solo travel saw a significant rise over the past year.
Airbnb country head for India and Southeast Asia Amanpreet Bajaj noted that partnerships are key to community support.
Amanpreet said home sharing plays a vital role in spreading economic benefits.
"Home sharing plays an important role in attracting diverse travellers and supporting the long-term growth of Malaysia's tourism sector, ensuring benefits are shared between travellers and local communities," he stated.
Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed explained that the city's cultural life is undergoing a major revitalisation
He said collective efforts were being made to prepare the capital for the 2026 influx.
The focus remained on ensuring that the capital's heritage and community life were ready for the international spotlight.
The collaboration represents a significant step in digitising the way we experience Malaysian history.
