Despite rising living costs, Malaysians aren’t giving up their holidays just yet. According to Skyscanner’s latest Travel Trends 2027 report, 88% of Malaysian travellers plan to travel as much as, or more than, they did previously. However, what they want from those trips is changing, with greater emphasis on meaningful experiences, personal interests and getting more value for their money.

From switching off our devices to travelling for a favourite artist or a special purchase, here are seven trends shaping how Malaysians could be spending their holidays in 2027, along with destinations to consider.

Signal Severance: Switching off to reconnect

Sometimes, the best holiday is one where nobody expects you to reply to messages. With digital fatigue setting in, more travellers are looking for opportunities to disconnect from their screens and reconnect with themselves, nature and loved ones. Skyscanner found that 71% of Malaysian travellers believe they would connect more with nature if they intentionally went off-grid, while 70% say the same about spending time with loved ones.

For a change of pace, consider Dili, Timor-Leste, with its coastline and opportunities for diving, or Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for a city break with access to the surrounding mountains. Both destinations are seeing growing interest, with flight searches rising 177% and 190%, respectively.

Pilgrimage-merch: Travelling for that one special find

Forget generic fridge magnets. Travellers are increasingly building holidays around location-exclusive finds, from regional snacks and local crafts to products they simply cannot buy back home. Skyscanner found that 72% of Malaysian travellers had visited a particular destination or store in the previous year specifically to purchase an exclusive item, while 35% had done so more than once.

For a shopping-led getaway, Fukuoka, Japan, is worth considering for its regional food specialities, independent shops and local finds. Semarang, Indonesia, is another option for travellers interested in discovering local crafts and heritage-inspired products.

(Left image by Hitoshi Namura)

Sound Bound: Letting music lead the way

Music is becoming a reason to travel in its own right, but the appeal goes beyond securing tickets to the latest stadium tour. Travellers are also looking towards local music scenes, festivals and cultural performances. Among Malaysians planning music-focused holidays, 41% are interested in carnival experiences, while 39% favour traditional concert venues. Music genre is also the leading consideration when planning these trips, cited by 34%.

For a music-inspired getaway, consider destinations where live performances and local culture can be part of the experience. Busan, South Korea, is one option for combining a city break with its live music scene, while Cebu, Philippines, offers opportunities to experience local festivities and cultural celebrations.

Currency Chasers: Making your money go further

(Left image by Syuichi Shiina)

With travel costs still influencing holiday decisions, more Malaysians are looking beyond familiar destinations to find better value. Skyscanner found that 66% always or often consider a destination’s currency strength when booking, while 63% have switched destinations because a more favourable exchange rate made another option cheaper.

Okinawa, Japan, tops Skyscanner’s best-value destination list, with return airfares down 38% year on year and accommodation prices falling 20%. Cebu, Philippines, is another option, with airfares down 32%, while Taipei, Taiwan, has seen a 16% reduction. These price changes make them worth comparing when planning a holiday, although actual spending will still depend on accommodation choices, activities and travel dates.

Multi-Mooning: More than one romantic escape

Why squeeze every romantic experience into one honeymoon when you can spread the celebrations across several trips? Skyscanner found that 36% of Malaysian travellers would prefer multiple mini-moons over one big honeymoon, compared with 40% who still favour a single trip.

For couples looking to spread out their celebrations, Cebu, Philippines, offers beaches and island-hopping opportunities, while Batam, Indonesia, makes for a shorter escape from Malaysia. Both destinations feature among Skyscanner’s picks for this trend, with flight searches rising 237% and 131%, respectively. The idea could also extend to anniversary trips and other milestones worth celebrating along the way.

Grand Odysseys: Travelling through history

History and mythology are inspiring more than just museum visits. From ancient ruins and architectural landmarks to stories of legendary figures, travellers are finding new reasons to explore a destination’s past. Skyscanner found that 79% of Malaysian travellers have had a classical myth or historical event influence their travel plans.

For a history-focused trip, Nanjing, China, offers ancient city walls and museums, while Semarang, Indonesia, is known for its colonial-era architecture and heritage landmarks. The latter has also seen a 284% increase in flight searches, helped by the introduction of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur in 2025.

Gym-cation: Staying active on holiday

Who says holidays have to mean abandoning your fitness routine? More travellers are looking for ways to stay active while away, whether that means booking a hotel with a proper gym, finding scenic running routes or planning days around hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

Skyscanner found that 86% of Malaysian travellers would likely book a hotel offering a nutritional performance breakfast, while 38% actively seek on-site fitness facilities and would choose one hotel over another if its fitness offering were better.

Okinawa, Japan, offers opportunities for snorkelling and other outdoor activities, while Cebu, Philippines, is well suited to diving and island-hopping. For those who prefer cooler weather and mountain scenery, Sapporo, Japan, is another option, with hiking and skiing depending on the season.

More destinations to watch in 2027

Beyond the destinations featured above, Skyscanner’s trending list highlights several other places attracting greater interest from Malaysian travellers. Palembang, Indonesia, leads with a 437% year-on-year increase in flight searches, followed by Udon Thani, Thailand (+372%), and Iloilo, Philippines (+126%). Other destinations on the list include Guiyang and Xining in China, as well as Fukuoka, Japan.

For travellers prioritising airfare savings, other destinations on Skyscanner’s best-value list include Sapporo, Japan (-14%), Busan, South Korea (-11%), Semarang, Indonesia (-11%), and Davao, Philippines (-7%).
With travel remaining a priority for many Malaysians, 2027 could be less about simply adding another destination to the map and more about choosing holidays that reflect what we actually want from our time away.

Explore Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report in depth here.