PUTRAJAYA: International tourist arrivals in Malaysia have increased significantly this year, with 9.48 million visitors as of May compared to 7.48 million tourists in the same period last year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has targeted 27.3 million international tourists and an income of RM102.7bil this year.
"The government has drawn up and implemented various strategies to stimulate the tourism industry, including the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, the Asean Chairmanship Year 2025, the VM2026 campaign, and many promotional activities that are more tactical.
"I welcome the views and feedback from all parties, especially industry players, in ensuring that these efforts and initiatives achieve the desired objectives,” he said on his official X account on Friday (July 19), after holding an engagement session with tourism industry players in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign.
The session was held as a platform for the ministry and the industry to exchange views and identify challenges faced in the country’s tourism industry.
Ahmad Zahid hoped that all ministries and industry players could work together and commit to making VM2026 a success, thereby making Malaysia a world-class preferred tourist destination.
"The tourism industry is a key driver of the country’s economy. This sector has a positive impact on supply chains, job opportunities, investment and infrastructure development, and it can promote Malaysian culture worldwide,” he said.
The deputy prime minister also said the government will segmentise the tourism sector from this year to attract more quality tourists with higher incomes in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Ahmad Zahid said the tourism sector will be divided into established markets and emerging markets.
"We do this as the programme must begin now and next year will be its implementation, and we will receive tourists according to the target groups set.
"I’m convinced with the involvement of the private sector, tourism operators in all fields can support the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry's programmes to attract tourists,” he told the media after chairing the engagement session with tourism industry players in conjunction with VM2026 here on Friday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Cabinet Tourism Development Committee chairman, said that the government is targeting quality tourists with high incomes as it will indirectly help the national economy.
"We appreciate tourists from China, India and Indonesia but based on efforts I would say it’s important we bring in high-end inbound tourists, not only in terms of volume but how much foreign exchange we can obtain from these tourists, which will help develop our national economy,” he said.
He also shared that the government is reviewing the Tourism Industry Act 1992 so that it is in line with the current tourism market and fulfils the needs of VM2026.
"We have discussed it and the review has begun. We will customise it with the present tourism market situation and at least for the next 20 years to come before changes (amendments) are made (to the Act again),” he said, adding that the target for tourists for VM2026 remained at 35.6 million visitors. - Bernama
