YouGov study of over 5,000 respondents across Asia-Pacific offers a window into the mindset of today’s independent explorer.
More and more Malaysians are choosing to travel on their own, with 53% of survey respondents viewing it as an opportunity to focus on themselves. (Envato Elements pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: Once a niche pursuit, solo travel among Malaysians has become more popular, especially among younger travellers. Six out of 10 respondents took solo trips in the past year, with almost a third (27%) of them having embarked on three or more such trips in the same period, according to a new YouGov survey.
Millennials are at the forefront of this shift, making up 38% of current and aspiring solo travellers.
The research, commissioned by low-cost carrier Scoot, involved over 5,000 respondents across five countries within the Asia-Pacific region – Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia – offering a window into the mindset of today’s independent explorer.
Some 86% of Malaysian respondents said they would recommend solo travel to others: a growing trend tied to broader lifestyle shifts, from increased demands at work and home to a rising emphasis on personal well-being.
Meanwhile, 56% of solo travellers cited freedom and flexibility to plan their own itineraries as their primary motivation; while 53% viewed solo travel as an opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves.
Notably, 49% of the respondents said they value the independence of exploring new places at their own pace.
Respondents from Malaysia were also the biggest group to cite solo travel as a catalyst for pursuing activities or hobbies they personally enjoy (47%, compared to the regional average of 43%).
This reflects a growing desire among Malaysians to use travel as a means to reconnect with their interests away from routine or group expectations.
What do Malaysians look for?
The findings also show that solo travellers are highly intentional in their approach: an overwhelming majority (95%) engaged in some form of planning for their trips.
Malaysians rely heavily on online travel agencies, websites and review platforms to make informed decisions on flight and accommodation bookings. (Envato Elements pic)
Aside from flight bookings, main priorities for more than half of these travellers include budget management (56%), accommodation (52%), and safety considerations (51%).
They relied heavily on online travel agencies, hotel websites, and online review platforms to help them make informed decisions about their flight and accommodation bookings. For food and activity recommendations, they relied on social media.
The survey further reveals a strong preference for Asia-Pacific destinations among Malaysian respondents, with nine in 10 planning trips within the region in the next 12 months.
Malaysia ranks as their top travel location, with 21% preferring to travel solely within the country, and 71% open to domestic and international trips.
Thailand (25%), Japan (23%), and Indonesia (22%) emerged as the top three international travel destinations in the year ahead.
These choices indicate a desire for vibrant cultures, nature and seaside escapes, reflective of the most popular types of solo trips: cultural and historical experiences (46%), city breaks (43%), beach getaways (42%), and nature holidays (41%).
To reach these destinations, respondents from Malaysia continue to prioritise affordable air travel options, with 70% opting for economy class and 28% choosing low-cost carriers – underscoring the importance of value as a key driver for those navigating the world on their own.
