Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru have retained their places among Asia’s top 10 destinations for repeat visitors, with Tokyo overtaking Bangkok to take the top spot, according to Agoda’s latest ranking.
Based on Agoda booking data from the first half of 2026, Kuala Lumpur ranked seventh while Johor Bahru came in 10th. Nine of the destinations in last year’s top 10 remained on the list, with Fukuoka the only new entrant.
Tokyo moved up from second place to first, followed by Bangkok, Bali, Seoul and Osaka. Da Nang ranked sixth, while Fukuoka rose three places to eighth, followed by Taipei and Johor Bahru.
Within Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number of repeat visitors, followed by Johor Bahru, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Miri.
Agoda said the findings showed that repeat travel does not necessarily mean repeating the same holiday, with travellers able to explore different neighbourhoods, seasons and experiences on subsequent visits.
Fukuoka was the biggest mover in the city ranking, climbing from 11th to eighth, while Da Nang rose two places to sixth.
At country level, Japan remained the leading destination for repeat visitors, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda, said, “Tokyo taking the top spot is the headline, but the more revealing finding is that nine of last year’s top 10 destinations remain. Repeat travel is not a lack of curiosity. Familiarity can give travellers the confidence to go beyond the obvious, whether that means staying in another neighbourhood, travelling in a different season or choosing a second city within a country they already know.
“Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru sitting alongside Tokyo, Bangkok and Bali also shows that Malaysian destinations can command the same kind of repeat appeal as Asia’s biggest travel favourites.”
