04/07/2025
FRIDAY | JULY 4, 2025
12
LYFE
Maximising travels
G ONE are the days of choosing between relaxation and adventure, today’s travellers are seeking to seamlessly blend both, squeezing every ounce of experience and value from their journeys. According to Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report, travellers are increasingly seeking unique adventures and diverse experiences, with 76% looking for accommodations that offer more than just a stay. Today’s holidaymakers want to maximise their time and investment by combining relaxation and experiences with high-impact adventures. The report highlighted an interesting dynamic in traveller preferences, where the pursuit of active adventures coexists with a strong desire for intentional rest. This manifests in the rise of “Go Getaways”, with 70% of global travellers enjoying active trips and one in five planning outdoor adventures in 2025. Simultaneously, many are embracing “Hurkle-Durkling”, a Scottish term for enjoying a full day of lounging in bed. This highlights a clear demand for exciting experiences and truly restorative breaks, including wellness amenities and sleep-focused spa treatments. Nostalgia plays a powerful role in shaping travel choices, leading to an acceleration of “Time Travel”, with o Modern tourists aim to squeeze every ounce of value from their vacations
Modern holiday-makers are looking for hotels that offer more than just accomodation.
kids’ preferences. Travellers are also keen on culinary exploration, actively seeking new dining experiences and making reservations in advance. Finally, there is a rise in “Soft Travel” which focuses on simple, spontaneous trips for self-discovery and well-being.
some even bringing their pets along. Another emerging trend is “Frolleagues” – friends who are also colleagues – travelling together, blending their social and professional circles. Children are increasingly influencing family travel decisions, with parents often choosing destinations based on their
many travellers are also seeking a “digital detox” during their trips. They are consciously reducing social media use to fully unwind and be present in their travel experiences. The landscape of travel companions is also evolving, giving rise to unique traveller types, such as “MeMooners” or solo travellers, with
many parents planning trips back to their childhood vacation spots with their kids. This sentimental journey is complemented by the growing appeal of “Slow Travel”, where people stay longer in one place to truly experience the local culture. While technological convenience such as digital room keys is a must,
Explore more about Japan’s culture via tourism this July
Children are increasingly influential in family holiday decisions.
director Kenichiro Ozaki. “Although the world’s trends are more into online events nowadays, we still believe offline events are effective in its way of promoting brand awareness and collecting feedback from public.” JNTO Kuala Lumpur will participate in the MITM Travel Fair Penang 2025 at Spics Arena from July 12–13 and Japan Expo Malaysia 2025 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 18–20. These events will feature exclusive travel destinations, cultural showcases and giveaways.
THE number of travellers to Japan from Malaysia between January – May 2025 has reached 295,900, a 34.6% increase comparing with 2024 that was 219,755, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO). “We heard Malaysia Pavilion is getting more attention among the Japanese community at Osaka Expo 2025 with its unique ‘Flying Roti Canai’ food experience. “We believe it has indicated a stronger bond between Malaysia and Japan,” said JNTO Kuala Lumpur office executive
Govt launches RM300,000 grant for Visit Selangor Year 2025
TOURISM Selangor has opened the Visit Selangor Year 2025 Grant (GTMS2025), a special initiative to support and empower tourism-related events and programmes in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2025 (VSY2025). Open for applications until Oct 31, the grant offers a total allocation of RM300,000 to be distributed among selected tourism-driven initiatives across the state. GTMS2025 is expected to benefit 30 recipients under three grant categories, namely the Discover Selangor Grant valued at RM10,000, the Splendid Selangor Grant valued at RM20,000, and the Surprising Selangor Grant valued at RM30,000.
arrivals, promoting local tourism products and destinations, and stimulating the local economy by encouraging community-based participation in tourism. The launch of GTMS2025 is expected to generate meaningful opportunities not only for major industry players but also for grassroots communities, helping to create economic spillover and elevate the overall standard of tourism services and experiences in Selangor. This initiative is also projected to support the campaign’s target of attracting eight million tourists, ultimately contributing to increased state revenue and sustainable tourism development.
Applications are open to a variety of entities, including private organisations or companies, government-linked companies that do not receive government promotional funding, state government-affiliated organisations and non-governmental organisations. Through this grant, Tourism Selangor aims to encourage more stakeholders to take part in the state’s tourism agenda, especially as the state continues to position itself as a dynamic and leading tourism destination. The objectives of GTMS2025 are aligned with the overall goals of VSY2025, which include increasing domestic and international tourist
This grant initiative aims to support and elevate tourism related events and programmes throughout the state.
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