Searches for short-term accommodations around Kuala Lumpur and Sepang have surged by more than 160% ahead of the Formula 1 race scheduled from October 2 to 4, according to data from Airbnb. The increase is measured year-on-year and covers stays in Kuala Lumpur, Sepang, Selangor, and surrounding areas.

The data, collected from July 26 to August 16, shows that approximately 75% of search interest came from international travellers, with the remaining 25% from Malaysian guests. Key overseas markets generating strong interest include Singapore, China, Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Kuala Lumpur accounted for more than 60% of the searches, followed by Sepang with nearly 25%, while areas such as Petaling and Hulu Langat also saw notable demand.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb country head for India and South-East Asia, attributed the surge to a growing trend among travellers to plan trips around major events such as concerts, festivals, and sporting activities. He noted that these experiences help to foster community connection and create opportunities for destinations to welcome visitors. Bajaj also highlighted that many travellers are extending their stays beyond the race weekend, with about 80% of bookings spanning dates beyond the event and an average stay length close to six nights. Trips for two people represented over one-third of searches, while those involving two or more guests accounted for nearly 70%.

The data suggests that while some visitors are opting for accommodations closer to the Sepang International Circuit and the nearby airport, Kuala Lumpur remains the primary base for many attendees. Bajaj emphasized that events like the F1 race offer travellers the chance to explore a variety of local attractions beyond the main occasion, with platforms like Airbnb providing flexibility in planning their stays.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels also reported increased demand. Vice-president CS Lim stated that hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, and Sepang were experiencing high occupancy levels during the race weekend. Lim noted that other concurrent events in Putrajaya and the IOI area contributed to this surge in accommodation demand.

The three-day Formula 1 event marks the return of the sport to Sepang for the first time since 2017 and is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of spectators, stimulating both the hospitality sector and local tourism.