Airbnb, MDEC team up to promote digital nomad-friendly stays in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Airbnb have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on MDEC’s inaugural DE Rantau initiative.

MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz said the collaboration will strengthen the agency’s DE Rantau initiative and exemplify an unwavering commitment to driving digital transformation and enriching the digital economy.

"Through Airbnb’s global platform, offering diverse accommodation options to suit digital nomads’ preferences, we are poised to unlock boundless opportunities for remote workers and propel Malaysia as a leading hub for the region.

"Currently, we have more than 1,400 digital nomad-friendly DE Rantau Hub listings on all platforms and we are aiming for 2,000 by the end of this year,” he said at the MoU signing ceremony at MDEC’s office here, today.

Mahadhir also noted that the digital nomad trend is likely to stay for many more years to come, despite the obstacles and challenges that one might encounter during the process.

Airbnb’s Asia Pacific director of public policy Steven Liew said the rise of remote work presents economies with immense new potential and contributes to inclusive travel that empowers more local destinations and communities.

"MDEC’s DE Rantau initiative will help encourage greater digital adoption and professional mobility while driving tourism recovery in the long term.

"We will continue working hand in hand with the government to ensure that travellers continue to enjoy a variety of unique stays at different price points, whether it is a digital nomad travelling solo for a month or a family enjoying a weekend getaway,” he said.

Through the partnership, Airbnb and MDEC will work together to identify and promote approximately 600 digital nomad-friendly DE Rantau Hub listings on Airbnb, with more to be certified by MDEC in the coming months.

The MDEC-certified listings, located in key tourism hotspots such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, and Langkawi, will provide travellers with digital nomad-friendly amenities.

These include dedicated workspaces, WiFi, kitchen, and laundry facilities that are ideal for stays lasting a month or more.

To encourage more digital nomad travellers to visit Malaysia, Airbnb has launched a landing page, airbnb.com/liveandworkinmalaysia, featuring all MDEC-certified, remote work-friendly DE Rantau Hub listings. - BERNAMA