Thailand and Malaysia Lead as Top Visa‑Free Destinations for Indian Travellers - Agoda

Indonesia Emerges as the Top Visa on arrival Destination Based on Accommodation Search Data

SINGAPORE, Feb. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest accommodation search data from digital travel platform Agoda reveals Thailand and Malaysia as the most preferred visa free international destinations among Indian travellers. Indonesia continues to lead among visa on arrival (VOA) markets. The data reflects an uptick in interest compared to last year toward destinations across Asia that combine easy entry requirements with diverse leisure and cultural experiences.

Agoda analysed accommodation search data generated in India for visa‑free and VOA destinations, between 1 and 18 January 2026, for check‑in dates between February and March 2026.

Among the combined top five destinations searched with visa free or VOA status, Thailand ranked first, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Thailand (visa free) and Indonesia (VOA) remain firm favourites, offering diverse mix of beaches, culture, and adventure, while Malaysia (visa free) combines urban and natural experiences.

Sri Lanka (VOA) recorded notable growth in accommodation searches, registering a 61% increase compared to last year, supported by its proximity and diverse offerings. Maldives (visa free) continues to draw Indian travellers seeking premium island escapes and short haul luxury stays. Together, these destinations underscore how Indian travellers are choosing destinations that offer strong value and simplified entry.

Beyond the top five, Philippines (visa free) ranked sixth and recorded 73% year-on-year search growth, driven by interest from beach loving and adventure-oriented travellers, with water sports remaining a key draw. While Nepal (visa free) ranked seventh. Kazakhstan (visa free) ranked eighth and is seeing interest for its distinctive Central Asian landscapes, while Bhutan (visa free) ranked ninth and attracts travellers drawn to wellness and cultural immersion. Laos (VOA) ranked tenth and recorded the strongest search growth among all top destinations with a 97% increase, positioning itself as a culturally rich alternative within Southeast Asia, aided by simplified visa access and growing awareness among Indian travellers.

Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, "Indian travellers are becoming increasingly intentional about their travel choices, with ease of visa accessibility playing a decisive role. Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report also revealed that if visa restrictions were not a factor, 84% of Indians would travel more frequently. 91% said that they would be open to exploring new destinations, the highest among their Asian peers. Furthermore, the growing search interest in emerging destinations such as Laos and the Philippines, alongside established favourites, reflect a growing appetite for diverse, culturally immersive yet hassle-free international travel."

Travellers planning their upcoming getaways can browse Agoda's wide range of offerings, spanning over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000+ activities worldwide. The latest deals are available on the Agoda app or at agoda.com/deals.

Indonesia Emerges as the Top Visa on arrival Destination Based on Accommodation Search Data

SINGAPORE, Feb. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest accommodation search data from digital travel platform Agoda reveals Thailand and Malaysia as the most preferred visa free international destinations among Indian travellers. Indonesia continues to lead among visa on arrival (VOA) markets. The data reflects an uptick in interest compared to last year toward destinations across Asia that combine easy entry requirements with diverse leisure and cultural experiences.

Agoda analysed accommodation search data generated in India for visa‑free and VOA destinations, between 1 and 18 January 2026, for check‑in dates between February and March 2026.

Among the combined top five destinations searched with visa free or VOA status, Thailand ranked first, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Thailand (visa free) and Indonesia (VOA) remain firm favourites, offering diverse mix of beaches, culture, and adventure, while Malaysia (visa free) combines urban and natural experiences.

Sri Lanka (VOA) recorded notable growth in accommodation searches, registering a 61% increase compared to last year, supported by its proximity and diverse offerings. Maldives (visa free) continues to draw Indian travellers seeking premium island escapes and short haul luxury stays. Together, these destinations underscore how Indian travellers are choosing destinations that offer strong value and simplified entry.

Beyond the top five, Philippines (visa free) ranked sixth and recorded 73% year-on-year search growth, driven by interest from beach loving and adventure-oriented travellers, with water sports remaining a key draw. While Nepal (visa free) ranked seventh. Kazakhstan (visa free) ranked eighth and is seeing interest for its distinctive Central Asian landscapes, while Bhutan (visa free) ranked ninth and attracts travellers drawn to wellness and cultural immersion. Laos (VOA) ranked tenth and recorded the strongest search growth among all top destinations with a 97% increase, positioning itself as a culturally rich alternative within Southeast Asia, aided by simplified visa access and growing awareness among Indian travellers.

Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, "Indian travellers are becoming increasingly intentional about their travel choices, with ease of visa accessibility playing a decisive role. Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report also revealed that if visa restrictions were not a factor, 84% of Indians would travel more frequently. 91% said that they would be open to exploring new destinations, the highest among their Asian peers. Furthermore, the growing search interest in emerging destinations such as Laos and the Philippines, alongside established favourites, reflect a growing appetite for diverse, culturally immersive yet hassle-free international travel."

Travellers planning their upcoming getaways can browse Agoda's wide range of offerings, spanning over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000+ activities worldwide. The latest deals are available on the Agoda app or at agoda.com/deals.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Thailand and Malaysia Lead as Top Visa‑Free Destinations for Indian Travellers - Agoda

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform built on trust, today announced the launch of its Stock Index Perpetual Contracts, with the first batch of contracts scheduled for listing, including Tesla Index Perpetual Contract (TSLAUSDT) and MicroStrategy Index Perpetual Contract (MSTRUSDT). As traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto infrastructure continue to converge, the new product combines 24/7 trading, micro-contract entry from 1 USDT, and a risk control framework built on institutional-grade pricing, session-aware mark pricing, and EMA-based transition smoothing, offering eligible global users a more continuous, flexible, and risk-conscious tool for cross-asset allocation, while further expanding KuCoin's cross-market derivatives infrastructure under its Trust-First strategy.

As global markets become more interconnected and increasingly event-driven, portfolio management is shifting from single-market participation toward continuous risk management across time zones and asset classes. In traditional equity markets, liquidity conditions can change sharply around market open and close, creating short-term pricing dislocations and increasing the risk of technical liquidations. KuCoin's Stock Index Perpetual Contracts are designed to address that structural limitation by bringing equity-linked derivatives into a crypto-native, always-on trading environment.

Key features include:

• 24/7 Trading Access – Continuous access to equity-linked contracts beyond traditional market hours.
• Micro-Contract Entry – Positions start from as little as 1 USDT, making participation more accessible to global users.
• Institutional-Grade Pricing Framework – Use of institutional-grade reference pricing mechanisms and session-aware mark pricing designed to better reflect underlying market conditions and reduce traders' exposure to volatility across varying liquidity conditions.
• EMA-Based Transition Smoothing – A pricing design intended to reduce abrupt dislocations around market open and close.

BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin, said: "Global capital markets are moving toward a new phase defined by liquidity, real-time risk management, and seamless access. We believe next-generation financial infrastructure must go beyond asset tokenization. It must also provide more reliable pricing, more continuous market access, and more disciplined risk controls. The launch of our Stock Index Perpetual Contracts reflects KuCoin's long-term commitment to supporting the convergence of TradFi and Crypto through infrastructure built on trust."

We will continue refining the product framework, including potential enhancements to pricing methodologies, risk management systems, and liquidity mechanisms, with the objective of supporting stable market operations and user protection. This launch not only expands KuCoin's derivatives offering, but also reflects the core principle of its Trust-First strategy: long-term value in market innovation depends not only on broader asset access, but on the strength of the infrastructure and risk controls that support it.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform trusted by over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. The platform delivers innovative digital-asset services, offering access to 1,000+ listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet.

Recognized by Forbes and Hurun, KuCoin holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, underscoring its commitment to top-tier security. With AUSTRAC registration in Australia and a MiCA license in Austria, KuCoin continues expanding its regulated footprint under CEO BC Wong, building a reliable and trusted digital-asset ecosystem.

Learn more: https://www.kucoin.com/

*Important Notice:

• These contracts are synthetic derivative products designed to track the price movements of certain publicly available equity benchmarks. They are stablecoin-settled perpetual derivative contracts and do not represent ownership of any stocks or securities, and no shares will be delivered.
• Access to these products may not be available in certain jurisdictions and may be restricted based on applicable laws and platform compliance requirements. Trading derivatives involves significant risk, including the potential loss of your entire margin. If you have any questions, please seek independent advice. Before trading, please review the Terms of Use, Futures Services Terms, and Risk Disclosure Statements (as updated from time to time).

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform built on trust, today announced the launch of its Stock Index Perpetual Contracts, with the first batch of contracts scheduled for listing, including Tesla Index Perpetual Contract (TSLAUSDT) and MicroStrategy Index Perpetual Contract (MSTRUSDT). As traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto infrastructure continue to converge, the new product combines 24/7 trading, micro-contract entry from 1 USDT, and a risk control framework built on institutional-grade pricing, session-aware mark pricing, and EMA-based transition smoothing, offering eligible global users a more continuous, flexible, and risk-conscious tool for cross-asset allocation, while further expanding KuCoin's cross-market derivatives infrastructure under its Trust-First strategy.

As global markets become more interconnected and increasingly event-driven, portfolio management is shifting from single-market participation toward continuous risk management across time zones and asset classes. In traditional equity markets, liquidity conditions can change sharply around market open and close, creating short-term pricing dislocations and increasing the risk of technical liquidations. KuCoin's Stock Index Perpetual Contracts are designed to address that structural limitation by bringing equity-linked derivatives into a crypto-native, always-on trading environment.

Key features include:

• 24/7 Trading Access – Continuous access to equity-linked contracts beyond traditional market hours.
• Micro-Contract Entry – Positions start from as little as 1 USDT, making participation more accessible to global users.
• Institutional-Grade Pricing Framework – Use of institutional-grade reference pricing mechanisms and session-aware mark pricing designed to better reflect underlying market conditions and reduce traders' exposure to volatility across varying liquidity conditions.
• EMA-Based Transition Smoothing – A pricing design intended to reduce abrupt dislocations around market open and close.

BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin, said: "Global capital markets are moving toward a new phase defined by liquidity, real-time risk management, and seamless access. We believe next-generation financial infrastructure must go beyond asset tokenization. It must also provide more reliable pricing, more continuous market access, and more disciplined risk controls. The launch of our Stock Index Perpetual Contracts reflects KuCoin's long-term commitment to supporting the convergence of TradFi and Crypto through infrastructure built on trust."

We will continue refining the product framework, including potential enhancements to pricing methodologies, risk management systems, and liquidity mechanisms, with the objective of supporting stable market operations and user protection. This launch not only expands KuCoin's derivatives offering, but also reflects the core principle of its Trust-First strategy: long-term value in market innovation depends not only on broader asset access, but on the strength of the infrastructure and risk controls that support it.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform trusted by over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. The platform delivers innovative digital-asset services, offering access to 1,000+ listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet.

Recognized by Forbes and Hurun, KuCoin holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, underscoring its commitment to top-tier security. With AUSTRAC registration in Australia and a MiCA license in Austria, KuCoin continues expanding its regulated footprint under CEO BC Wong, building a reliable and trusted digital-asset ecosystem.

Learn more: https://www.kucoin.com/

*Important Notice:

• These contracts are synthetic derivative products designed to track the price movements of certain publicly available equity benchmarks. They are stablecoin-settled perpetual derivative contracts and do not represent ownership of any stocks or securities, and no shares will be delivered.
• Access to these products may not be available in certain jurisdictions and may be restricted based on applicable laws and platform compliance requirements. Trading derivatives involves significant risk, including the potential loss of your entire margin. If you have any questions, please seek independent advice. Before trading, please review the Terms of Use, Futures Services Terms, and Risk Disclosure Statements (as updated from time to time).

 

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

KuCoin Launches Stock Index Perpetual Contracts, Expanding 24/7 Cross-Asset Access