Agoda Unveils Top Asian Markets Prioritizing Kitchens in Travel Stay

Digital travel platform Agoda’s latest data reveals insights into the travel preferences of Asian markets with a ranking of travelers who prioritize having a kitchen in their accommodations.

Top markets:
- Taiwan (14% of searches include kitchen filter)
- Vietnam (13%)
- South Korea (12%)

Other notable markets:
Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, India, and Thailand also show strong interest.

Why Kitchens Matter
- Flexibility & convenience: Travelers want the option to cook, especially families and groups.
- Dietary needs: Kitchens allow travelers to manage diverse diets more easily.
- Cost-effective: Preparing meals helps reduce travel expenses.
- Personalized travel: Reflects a shift toward home-like comforts integrated into travel experiences.

Food-Driven Travel
- Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report highlights food as a primary travel motivator:
- Taiwan: 47% of travelers cite food as central to their trips
- Vietnam: 35%
- South Korea: 34%
- These markets combine culinary exploration with the comfort of cooking at their accommodation.

Agoda’s Positioning
Jun Dong, VP at Agoda, emphasized that “the kitchen is becoming the heart of travel adventures,” especially for flavor-forward travelers. Agoda’s filters make it easy to find properties that match these preferences.

So, we’re seeing a fascinating convergence: food tourism + self-catering convenience. It’s not just about eating out anymore — it’s about blending local flavors with the ability to cook and share meals in a private space.