Agoda: 55% Increase in Eid accommodation searches

Digital travel platform Agoda has recorded a 55% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from travellers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore for check-ins during the festive period of 20 to 23 March 2026. Bali was the most-searched destination for travellers from these three countries, with Yogyakarta, Bandung, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo following closely as prime destinations.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, or Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of the month of Ramadhan and is a time for reunion, celebration and meaningful time with loved ones. Travel demand typically rises as people return to hometowns, visit family, or plan a short break after a month of spiritual focus. During this festive season, while close-to-home destinations, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand remain popular, Agoda is also observing increased interest in destinations that offer a different kind of festive getaway.

"Traditionally, travel during cultural festive periods meant returning home, but we're observing a change in preference as many look beyond familiar destinations. Japan and China, for example, are growing in appeal this festive season as they become more accessible through measures like eased visa rules and new, unique experiences," said Andrew Smith, Senior VP, Supply, Agoda.

"When travel is made easier, interest follows. Hotels that recognise these trends and remove booking friction - by offering localised experiences, tailored content in the traveler's language and convenient local payment options - will be best placed to capture growth this festive season."

China ranked as one of the top five destinations for travellers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with a 7% year‑on‑year increase in accommodation searches during the Eid festive period. This momentum was amplified by the market's recent expansion of visa‑exemption and eased transit rules, which have reduced friction for travellers, according to China's State Council.

Meanwhile, in Japan's increase in appeal comes as the country looks to grow inbound tourism over the longer term. According to reports by the World Economic Forum, the shift comes as the government has set a target of attracting 60 million foreign tourists annually by 2030, alongside wider efforts to welcome a broader range of travellers.

The upcoming festive travel season presents hoteliers with the chance to finetune their localisation strategies to better accommodate various travellers' needs, such as implementing halal-friendly options. 

Agoda's Tailored to Win report shows that reflecting cultural, linguistic and behavioural preferences is increasingly vital for hotels and accommodation partners looking to stand out. According to Agoda, hoteliers can strengthen appeal this Eid season by clearly addressing questions what travellers tend to decide on first, including meal options, prayer access, family suitability and proximity to relevant attractions. Halal-certified meals, prayer facilities and other Muslim-friendly amenities should be highlighted, the company recommended. 

The report also found that hotels implementing advanced localisation strategies saw a 59% positive impact on revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Agoda Introduces Eid practices around the world

Agoda, one of the world's fastest growing online travel agents, has shared ways travellers can experience Eid al-Fitr or Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri) around the world.

Jakarta, Indonesia

What to do: Try an Eid al-Fitr meal at a local restaurant

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan which has excellent dining options.

Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran is a major travel period for Indonesians, as many Muslims, especially those who live in the city, travel back to their hometowns ahead of time, a tradition known as 'mudik'. This means it may be relatively quiet in the city, providing a great time to roam the malls and check out usually crowded attractions in Jakarta.

No Lebaran celebration is complete in Indonesia without rendang - a thick, fragrant and spicy meat dish, usually made with beef and cooked tender (not crispy - editor's note: this is a reference to a well known reality cooking show where a judge dismissed a contestant's rendang as not crispy enough), served alongside ketupat, cubical rice dumplings which symbolise togetherness.

Istanbul, Turkey

What to do: Bring sweets and goodies to break fast with the crowds between The Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet Square

Where to stay: Ajwa Hotel, where travellers can indulge in a traditional hammam (Turkish bath) at the in-house spa.

During Ramadhan, travellers might spot drummers performing at the break of dawn along the streets as they wake residents up for suhoor, the predawn meal before the day of fasting.

Eid al-Fitr is also known as Seker Bayram or 'Candy Festival' in Turkey, as celebrations will feature sweet treats such as baklava. In fact, people are encouraged to have sweets for breakfast.

UAE

What to do: Have iftar at Dubai Opera, enjoy special activities at IMG Worlds of Adventures
Where to stay: Have fun at Atlantis the Palm Dubai, which houses a 170,000 sq m amusement park and a water park.

In the lead-up to Eid, have iftar at the Dubai Opera, combining Arabic cuisine and live music.

One of the world's largest indoor theme parks, IMG Worlds of Adventures, is decorated in a traditional Arabic theme and offer activities just for the season.

KSA

Where to go / What to do: Eid festival at the coastal area of Jeddah Corniche and Al Balad (Old town)
Where to stay: Raddison Blu Hotel, Jeddah Corniche

In the heart of downtown Balad, travellers can take part in the festivities at the Historic Jeddah Festival for a glimpse into how Eid used to be. Check out interactive art features or listen to the hakawati (storytellers) narrate accounts of how Hijazi families spent their Eid in the past. The Hejaz is an area in West Arabia that hosts Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.

Srinagar, Kashmir

Where to go / What to do: Sail on Dal Lake and stop at Hazratbal Mosque, before feasting at Lal Chowk food street
Where to stay: On the New Golden Flower Heritage Houseboat

The biggest congregation of Eid prayer gatherings in Srinagar is typically at the Hazratbal, the shrine said to house a relic from the Prophet Muhammad.

On the morning of Eid al-Fitr, something sweet is eaten for breakfast such as sheer kurma or seviyan (vermicelli pudding with milk, water and nuts), accompanied by kahwah, a local tea brewed from special green tea leaves, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and strands saffron, then garnished with dried fruits and nuts. Sample local cuisine including Kashmiri naan, kebabs, kahwah, and noon chai (a pink salty tea) along Lal Chowk, the famous food street.

Agoda, KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah MoU to benefit pilgrims

Source: PRNewsfoto/Agoda. Agoda and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah sign MoU to achieve Vision 2030 goal of 30 million pilgrims. The agreement was signed on 3 December, 2018 by HE Dr. Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, the KSA minister of Hajj and Umrah (right) in the presence of Damien Pfirsch, VP Strategic Partnerships & Programs Agoda.

Agoda, the online travel agents (OTA), and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in KSA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) supporting the KSA Vision 2030 goal to increase its capacity to over 30 million pilgrims by utilising Agoda's technology and travel expertise, marketing platform capabilities, intelligence tools and resources.


There is now a dedicated Agoda portal to access selected hotels that have been certified by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for umrah visitors and pilgrim bookings. Pilgrims can easily find an array of accommodation options and securely book through the multilingual and multicurrency portal.

Under the MoU, the first to be signed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with a global OTA, the parties will explore how together they will redefine the future of travel for pilgrims from across the world to the kingdom, working in collaboration to help to build future services including guest flow and booking accommodation.

The MoU will leverage the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's knowledge and understanding of the needs of pilgrims to the holy cities and Agoda's technology expertise, to enable the partners to explore ways to use technology to manage the anticipated increase in guests to KSA and make accommodation reservations more accessible, easier, faster and secure.

John Brown, CEO, Agoda, said: "With Agoda's expertise in accommodation and travel services, global distribution services, e-marketing and digital branding we want to be a key partner helping them to achieve their goals of accommodating 30 million umrah and Hajj guests to the kingdom."

According to Vision 2030, which was announced in 2016, the last decade has seen the number of umrah visitors and pilgrims entering the country from abroad treble. Pilgrimages play a significant role in KSA's tourism industry, with the government aiming to grow this sector to 15 million Hajj and umrah visitors annually by 2020, and 30 million by 2030.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings and employs more than 3,700 staff across 53 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.