Malaysia and Dubai Set to Benefit as Chinese New Year Travel Moves Away from the West
Chinese New Year (CNY) 2026 is expected to reshape global travel patterns, with Southeast Asia and the Middle East gaining ground as Chinese tourists shift away from traditional Western destinations. According to property and cross-border investment consultancy Juwai IQI, Malaysia is forecast to attract the largest number of Chinese visitors, while Dubai is expected to receive the highest-spending travellers.
At the same time, travel demand for the United States, Japan, and Europe is projected to decline due to geopolitical tensions, government travel advisories, higher travel costs, and longer flight durations.
Travel Advisories Influencing Holiday Choices
Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group CEO Kashif Ansari noted that Chinese New Year travel is highly sensitive to official safety guidance, as families prioritize secure and convenient destinations during the most important holiday of the year.
Japan is expected to see one of the sharpest declines, with Chinese arrivals forecast to drop between 35% and 45% year on-year. A formal travel advisory from Beijing, reduced flight capacity, and falling visitor numbers late in 2025 are contributing to the downturn.
Travel to the United States could fall by 30% to 40%, while Europe may see a smaller decline of 10% to 20%, driven largely by high expenses, long travel times, and winter season limitations.
Meanwhile, Southeast Asia is strengthening its dominance, already accounting for nearly half of Chinese travellers’ preferred destinations.
Malaysia Positioned for the Strongest Growth
Malaysia is projected to record a 30% to 50% rise in Chinese visitors during CNY 2026 compared with the previous year, making it one of the biggest global beneficiaries of the holiday surge.
Several factors are driving Malaysia’s appeal:
- Visa-free entry for Chinese travellers
- Short average flight times of around four hours
- A bilingual environment with widespread Mandarin and English usage
- Family-friendly attractions, food culture, and shopping
Malaysia has also invested heavily in marketing campaigns and partnerships with Chinese travel platforms, airlines, and influencers, boosting its visibility ahead of the festive season.
Beyond tourism, Malaysia continues to attract strong interest from Chinese property buyers, who represent the largest group of foreign real estate investors in the country. Increased holiday travel is expected to translate into higher housing enquiries and property viewings in early 2026.
Dubai Drawing High-Spending Chinese Travellers
Chinese travel to Dubai is forecast to grow between 25% and 40% during CNY 2026. The city’s popularity has been rising steadily thanks to visa-free access, strong flight connectivity, competitive luxury offerings, and warm winter weather.
Dubai is increasingly seen as a safe and aspirational long-haul alternative to destinations such as Japan and the United States. In addition to tourism, the city continues to attract Chinese interest in property investment due to its tax advantages and investor-friendly regulations.
Singapore and Thailand Also on the Rebound
Singapore is expected to see Chinese visitor growth of 15% to 30% during the CNY period. While already a top destination, its smaller size, higher travel costs, and shorter average stays may limit overall visitor volume compared to Malaysia.
Thailand is projected to record a 10% to 30% rise in Chinese visitors as it recovers from a slower 2025. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set ambitious growth targets, and Chinese nationals remain the country’s largest group of foreign property buyers.
Tourism and Property Demand Move Together
Chinese New Year is the single most concentrated period of overseas travel for Chinese citizens each year. Industry experts note that tourism flows often influence cross-border real estate interest, as holiday visits allow potential buyers to explore destinations firsthand.
For CNY 2026, markets benefiting from increased Chinese arrivals particularly Malaysia, Dubai, Singapore, and Thailand are expected to see stronger property enquiries in the months following the holiday season. Meanwhile, softer travel demand to the US, Japan, and Europe may also translate into reduced near-term property interest from Chinese buyers.
