M'sians Plan To Up Travel Spend By 20 Pct This Year: Survey

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysians plan to increase their travel spend by nearly 20 per cent this year, with 91 per cent planning to travel domestically and 78 per cent planning international trips, said Tripadvisor. According to the third instalment of TripBarometer, an accommodation and traveller survey, Japan is the 'dream' destination for Malaysians to visit in the next 12 to 24 months, followed by the UK and France. However, 76 per cent of Malaysian travellers said currency fluctuations are more likely to impact travel plans compared to 44 per cent globally. TripBarometer, a biannual study conducted on behalf of TripAdvisor by independent research firm Ipsos, highlights country, regional and global travel trends, according to more than 61,000 travellers and hoteliers around the world, with 547 respondents from Malaysia. "Exploration is back on the agenda in 2014, with more travellers planning international trips this year," TripAdvisor for Business President Marc Charron said in a statement here Wednesday. Charron said travellers are upping their budgets but are looking for bargains, expecting their accommodation of choice to deliver on value. "Special offers, complimentary amenities and exceptional service are all going to be important factors in swaying potential guests," he added. Despite relatively low optimism in the economy, travellers are not willing to give up their holidays, with many opting to hunt for bargains and make sacrifices in other areas of their lives in order to protect their travel spend. About 75 per cent of Malaysian travellers said their choice of holiday is often determined by the availability of a good deal or special offer. Charron said the increase in travel budgets and travel plans is mirrored in business confidence, with 70 per cent of global hoteliers saying they are optimistic about their profitability next year. The research also found that Malaysians are attached to their mobiles, with 94 per cent using their smartphones on holiday. Malaysians are also more likely to pre-plan their holiday, with almost three quarters (72 per cent) booking their accommodation at least one month ahead of their trip. -- BERNAMA