Malaysia’s Sporting Events Draw International Attention, Agoda Data Shows

Malaysia’s major sporting events continue to attract both local and international interest, according to the latest search data from digital travel platform Agoda.

Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (Oct 4–5, 2025)
- Domestic searches rose 24%; international interest grew 7% year-on-year.
- Biggest travel interest from Indonesia, Singapore, and China.
- Fastest-growing markets: Bangladesh (+224%), Hong Kong (+73%), South Korea (+48%), Taiwan (+25%), and steady growth from Japan (+22%).

IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi (Nov 1, 2025)
- Triathlon set against Langkawi’s tropical backdrop drew strong international attention.
- Top markets: Singapore, India, South Korea, Bangladesh, Japan.
- Highest growth: South Korea (+536%) and Bangladesh (+148%).

Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon (Oct 19, 2025)
- Attracted athletes from across Asia.
- Strongest interest from South Korea, Singapore, and China.
- Singapore saw 84% growth in searches for Kota Kinabalu during the race.

Tourism & Policy Impact
- Malaysia’s sports calendar is becoming a regional tourism magnet, blending athletic pursuits with travel experiences.
- The government introduced a 50% income tax exemption for private companies organizing international-level arts, cultural, tourism, and sports competitions under Budget 2026.
- This incentive aims to boost private-sector participation and strengthen Malaysia’s position in the sports tourism market.

Big Picture
Malaysia is positioning itself as a sports tourism hub in Asia, with events that not only attract athletes but also inspire exploration of its islands, rainforests, and vibrant cities.