Saturday, January 04, 2020

Travel Trends: Ecotourism a New Favourite for Generation Z guests in Malaysia



Ecotourism Experiences in Malaysia were one of the top picks amongst Generation Z guests (aged 24 and below*) over the past year, marking a progressive shift in travel trends towards sustainable tourism and off-the-beaten-path Experiences.

Global hospitality marketplace Airbnb today announced that Gen Z guests comprise its fastest growing guest segment for Airbnb Experiences in Asia Pacific. In both Malaysia as well as the region, Generation Z guest bookings grew more than 3x year-over-year**.


Based on latest Airbnb data, most-booked Experience categories by Gen Z guests in Malaysia include:

       Ecotourism Experiences:

       Food and Entertainment Experiences:

       Culture and Learning Experiences:

“Travelers today want unique, memorable experiences and that’s what we deliver. The rapid growth of Gen Zs booking Airbnb Experiences reflects how this new generation actively seeks a different form of travel,” shared Parin Mehta, Managing Director for Airbnb Experiences, Asia Pacific. “We see this manifesting three-fold: firstly, Gen Zs are driven by a new experience-led economy where they place greater value on experiences over ownership. They are also travelling more than the generations before them and finding ways to make travel a significant part of their lifestyle. Lastly, they have a deep understanding of how technology can transform the way they travel and know to turn to platforms like Airbnb for the unique and authentic experiences they want.”


To stay ahead of the curve, Airbnb Experiences has launched several seasonal and on-trend experiences in addition to new categories. This year, guests from all around the world were invited to ride this summer’s hottest K-wave in Seoul with the launch of K-pop and K-beauty Experiences in August. Guests could also book unique experiences as Airbnb launched three new Experiences categories this year alone, expanding its unrivalled collection with Airbnb Adventures, Airbnb Animal Experiences, and Airbnb Cooking Experiences.

“For most travellers today, travelling goes beyond sightseeing - it’s also about experiencing the culture, exploring nature and pursuing hobbies,” added Mehta. “They want to experience more immersive, meaningful travel through personal interaction with locals. However, this is usually hard to plan and relies on knowing someone ‘on the inside’, which is what Airbnb Experiences aims to deliver.”


Tis’ the season to try a new Experience with loved ones!

Here’s a list of one-of-a-kind Airbnb Experiences across Malaysia for guests looking for lesser-known gems or activities to enjoy***:
       Amazing Jungle Experience with Mowgli (Kuala Lumpur): Indulge in an energetic jungle experience with waterfalls, wild animals and stunning views deep within a tropical jungle.
       Walk With Nature and Stay Fit (Tanjung Bungah, Penang): Embark on a 1.5 hour hike from the Penang National Park office to Kerachut Beach, where you can spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
       Portrait Photo Shooting in Georgetown (Georgetown, Penang): Go from camera-shy to camera-confident! Learn tips and tricks to pose for the camera and capture your most memorable moments on this tour around Georgetown.
       Kuala Lumpur InfoFun Walking Tour (Kuala Lumpur): From Chinatown to the Central Market to Little India and the Botanical Gardens, this walking tour provides a firsthand look at temples and historical buildings.
       3 in 1 Mosque + Batu Caves + Hill Temple (Kuala Lumpur): Discover Malaysia's unique heritage as a melting pot of different cultures by visiting these sites steeped in history.

Note
*Generation Z guests are identified based on self-reported data by guests booking on the Airbnb platform.
**Based on internal Airbnb data as of Dec 2018-2019.
***All Experiences referenced in this article are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific Experience listings on the Airbnb platform.


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