Kuala Lumpur among world’s top tourist cities
Malaysian capital ranks eighth on list of most popular cities that international travellers plan to visit this year
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (MNTV) – Kuala Lumpur has ranked eighth among the most popular cities international travellers plan to visit in the first quarter of 2026, maintaining the same position it held in the same period last year, according to Trip.com Malaysia general manager Stephane Thong.
Tokyo topped the list, followed by Seoul and Bangkok.
Top attractions booked by international tourists in Malaysia on Trip.com include the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park and KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. “This reflects global trends towards immersive, entertainment-led travel, as theme parks, concerts and immersive shows were the most sought-after attraction types,” Thong said.
Tourists are also staying longer. Hotel operators attribute this to Malaysia’s affordability compared to competing destinations. “Malaysia’s affordability makes longer stays more financially viable,” said Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association national president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel, who is also Malaysian Tourism Federation president.
He added that the rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements has enabled travellers to combine business with leisure, and that improved regional connectivity and stronger domestic transport networks now encourage multi-destination itineraries within a single trip.
“Travellers are no longer visiting just one city but exploring multiple cities, combining urban centres, islands, highlands and heritage towns,” he said. Growth in medical tourism, digital nomads, education-related travel and corporate programmes has also contributed to extended stays.
Some 27.15 million foreign hotel guests stayed in Malaysia between January and September last year, up from 25.99 million in the same period the year before. Kuala Lumpur accounted for the largest share at 35.3%, with 9.6 million international hotel guests, followed by Selangor with 2.71 million and Penang with 2.6 million.
International travellers tend toward budget-friendly accommodation, with 36% choosing three-star or lower hotels, followed closely by four-star hotels at 35% and five-star hotels at 20%, suggesting a diverse visitor mix.
Malaysian Association of Hotels president Christina Toh credited Kuala Lumpur’s popularity to its reputation as a food haven and cultural melting pot, as well as increased flight options and accessibility. “Such has opened up more options for Kuala Lumpur to be a gateway for stopovers and connections,” she said.
To sustain momentum during Visit Malaysia 2026, hotels are introducing competitive pricing and diverse cultural experiences spanning urban, heritage and rural elements.
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