We don’t need to travel far to experience unique sites, cultures and heritage! Malaysia itself is multicultural thus allowing you to discover and gain new experiences you never thought it had to offer. Here are 8 amazing reasons why we should all travel locally.

1. Support the local economy - we need it!

Did you know that even small acts such as buying a drink or a snack from the roadside stall on your trips, you are actually supporting our economy? Not just by purchasing food from local vendors, but also visiting local attractions, buying local merchandise or souvenirs! When we play tourist in our own country, we are able to give back and support local businesses and boost tourism revenue. That money then gets invested into the state and its infrastructure - this is really important especially in a developing country like Malaysia.

2. Lots of mini getaways vs. one long vacation

When you plan a trip overseas, there are various costs to think about such as flights, accommodation, whether or not you need a visa and the cost of it AND more importantly, applying for leave! Saving all that money up for this trip, you would obviously want to make the most of it after flying all the way out there!

Whereas, if you take multiple mini getaways around the country, you’re able to save on accommodation, flights and transportation costs! Not just that, because you’re transacting in the local currency, no value is lost in currency exchange! Local travelling means you are able to take multiple trips, more frequently with less planning! It definitely won’t break the bank and your wallets will be thanking you as well.

3. Learn more about your country’s history and heritage

Many travellers head to different countries to learn and understand other cultures but looking a little closer to home might even surprise you. The town or cities in your country may have contributed to the country’s history and shaped what it became today. Your local travels will provide a greater insight to what could be a bigger picture and create a greater comprehension of everything. Not only does it help you contextualize what your country’s place is in the world, you will be able to gain a deeper and more meaningful connection with your homeland.

4. Easier to get around - you already speak the language!

When travelling locally, it helps you tremendously since you already speak the native language! There won’t be a language barrier or worrying about whether you ordered the correct item at a restaurant. Not to mention you are also saving costs or maybe having to renew your passport or paying for a visa to enter the country since you already live in it.

You will also have a peace of mind knowing you won’t get lost in translation, as you are able to read everything from road signs, menu and description of items. Booking accommodation is a whole lot easier as well not having to pay tourism taxes, which takes the stress out of travelling and letting you have a more chilled experience! Being a local also really helps to make better connections with the people you meet along your travels - you can relate better and it’s super easy to make conversation!

5. Overpack all you want, ‘cause there’s no luggage constraint!

Unless you are flying locally to the destination, you are most likely going to be driving there – yay for road trips! The best perk of travelling locally is, being able to overpack and not having to worry about the luggage weight restrictions and overweight fees! Plus, you save so much time and hassle not having to go through the whole check-in process and immigration department - this makes things much easier especially if you’re travelling in a group or with children. No problemo!

Domestic Tourism: 8 Reasons Why We Should Travel Locally