Collaboration aims to facilitate long-term stays with adequate amenities for remote work
Airbnb and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly support MDEC’s pioneering DE Rantau initiative.
This strategic alliance is in response to the rising trend of remote work and flexible travel, which has been gaining serious momentum in the post-pandemic era. A forthcoming study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Airbnb, reveals a shift in the Asia Pacific region, where extended stays (28 nights or more) booked via Airbnb increased from 7.7% of total guest nights in 2019 to 11.6% in 2023.
In Malaysia, there was a notable spike in long-term stay nights, surging from 11.6% to 18.6% of total guest nights attributed to international bookings between 2019 and 2022. The primary destinations for extended stays in 2022 were Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Johor Bahru.
Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation; and Steven Liew, Director of Airbnb Public Policy Asia Pacific, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote Malaysia’s position as a Digital Nomad Hub in ASEAN. Photo credit: MDEC Facebook
Under this collaboration, Airbnb and MDEC will collaborate to identify and highlight more than 600 DE Rantau Hub listings on Airbnb, catering to digital nomads. Additionally, MDEC will certify further listings in the upcoming months.
These certified accommodations, situated in prominent tourist hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, and Langkawi, will offer essential amenities suitable for digital nomads. These provisions comprise dedicated workspaces, reliable WiFi, fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities, catering to stays of one month or more.
To stimulate interest among digital nomad travelers considering Malaysia, Airbnb has introduced a dedicated landing page (airbnb.com/liveandworkinmalaysia) that features all MDEC-certified DE Rantau Hub listings optimized for remote work.
The platform intends to raise awareness about Malaysia as an appealing destination for digital nomads, showcasing the advantages of MDEC’s DE Rantau Pass.
Airbnb has also unveiled a comprehensive Global Guide for Hosts, designed to assist hosts in tailoring their spaces to better accommodate extended-stay guests. Furthermore, the initiative includes workshops specifically curated for Malaysian hosts, aimed at sharing insights into the DE Rantau initiative and the latest trends in digital nomad travel.
