Trip.com Group, one of the world’s leading travel companies, has unveiled fresh new insights into Southeast Asia’s evolving travel landscape at its inaugural “Trip.Best Roadshow: Southeast Asia Travel Trends Unpacked”.
According to Trip.Best, the platform’s AI-enhanced collection of curated recommendations, travellers across Southeast Asia increasingly gravitate towards East Asian destinations, including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul, with searches for “activities to-do” and “cool escape attractions” soaring year-on-year (y-o-y).
Chongqing, one of China’s emerging destinations, is also gaining popularity among Southeast Asians. Known for its futuristic skyscapes and vibrant food culture, the “cyberpunk city” has made it the fastest-growing outbound destination among Malaysians, with a remarkable 448% y-o-y jump in Trip.Best views and 599% y-o-y surge in bookings.
How was Malaysia’s travel landscape in 2025?
As Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026, Trip.Best reports that Malaysia remains as a leading choice destination for both regional and domestic travellers. China continued to lead inbound arrivals, while neighbouring Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia ranked among the top 10 source markets.
Some insights on Malaysia’s travel landscape in 2025 include domestic tourism growing 28% y-o-y, with Kuala Lumpur, cities in Sabah, Penang, Johor, and Sarawak leading as top destinations.
Additionally, family-oriented travel has grown significantly, with searches for “family activities” growing more than 35%, and weekend hotel bookings featuring “children activities” increased by 28%. Based on Trip.Best’s 2026 Asia 100 Family-friendly Attractions, Malaysians were found to prefer family-friendly attractions from action-packed theme parks Legoland Malaysia and Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to top ranked global ones – Universal Studios Japan and Walt Disney World Resort, where families can create memories that last a lifetime.
Family-friendly hotels were the top choice among Malaysians, followed by scenic and aesthetically-appealing ‘Instagrammable’ hotels. Charming family retreats like Legoland Malaysia Hotel remain on the annual ranking three times in a row, according to Trip.Best’s 2026 Asia 100 Family Hotels. Meanwhile, Toy Story Hotel in Shanghai was saved by 94834 Malaysian users, and breathtaking luxury resorts like Singapore’s Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa were saved by 42413 Malaysian users.
Malaysians also make travel decisions faster than the other regional countries, spending just four days on research before booking their stays, compared to the Southeast Asian average of six days.
“Among Malaysians, travel is increasingly seen as a tool to reconnect with family, especially through short getaways,” said Edmund Ong, Senior Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Trip.com. “As momentum builds ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Malaysia continues to be a key growth market for Trip.com. We’re committed to highlighting its diverse tourism offerings via features such as Trip.Best and strengthening local partnerships to further elevate Malaysia as a regional tourism hub.”
As travellers increasingly look for personalised, meaningful journeys, the platform continues to strengthen its suite of AI-powered tools to make planning trips easier and more seamless than ever.
Vacation ideas for family-friendly Asia trips in 2026
Genting Skyworlds Theme Park, Malaysia
High in the hills of Genting Highlands, this outdoor theme park is well developed with 26 rides and attractions that are designed after nine movie and adventure-inspired ‘worlds’, or zones, from 3D cinemas to gut-wrenching roller coaster rides. All of the rides range from kid-friendly to extreme adrenaline.
Where to stay when visiting: Approximately a 11km drive to the theme park, consider staying at Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences for a spacious and convenient stay. Book your stay here.
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Skyline Luge Singapore
Skyline Luge in Sentosa Island is part go-kart, part roller coaster, and 100% family-friendly fun. There are different tracks to choose from, so you can pick the one that’s just right for your family’s thrill level. There are also hidden gems along the way, such as a scenic chairlift ride and an interactive mini-golf.
Where to stay when visiting: Resorts World Sentosa – Equarius Villas is the perfect choice for a luxurious yet convenient stay. You’ll be within a 5 minute walk to the lively and family-friendly attraction. Book your stay here.
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Elephant Care Park Nai Dee Phuket, Thailand
At Elephant Care Park Nai Dee Phuket, you can expect an ethical and immersive experience with elephants in a serene, natural setting. Named the largest sanctuary in Phuket, you can observe the elephants’ peaceful life in the wild, feed the elephants, walk with them through the jungle, and visit the elephant spa. Afterwards, join a Thai cooking class for extra fun.
Where to stay when visiting: Around 40 minutes to the sanctuary, consider staying at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, a perfect blend of modern luxury and traditional Thai charm. Book your stay here.
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Waterbom Bali, Indonesia
Waterbom Bali, located in the heart of central Kuta, offers a unique blend of thrilling water rides and serene relaxation areas, making it a perfect spot for families of all ages, including toddlers. With water slides, thrilling rides, lush tropical pools, and bustling wet play areas, a trip to this water park keeps the kids entertained for hours.
Where to stay when visiting: A quick 20 to 30 minutes drive or Gojek ride through Bali’s southern peninsula to the lively Kuta area, The St. Regis Bali Resort is the ideal luxurious stay. Book your stay here.
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Aqua Planet Jeju, South Korea
Enjoy viewing harbor seals, penguins, a giant octopus, sea turtles, a walrus, and even a small group of dolphins, amongst a ton of large sea creatures. There are many kid-friendly attractions within this Jeju aquarium including a touch tank (filled with tiny carp fish) and an aquatic-themed playground with a small glass tunnel through a fish tank.
Where to stay when visiting: If you’d like a scenic 40 to 60 minute drive around Jeju island, take a taxi or rent a car to Marriott Jeju Shinhwa World Hotels & Resorts. Book your stay here.
Get your tickets here.
For more information, visit Trip.com and make a booking for award-winning hotels and attractions.
