All smiles: Chan (right) and Wang (left) with Tourism Malaysia Chairman Datuk Dr Yasmin Mahmood (second from left) and Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy at the launch of KCCM 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic tourism expenditure has crossed the halfway mark of a projected amount of RM92.7bil in the first six months of this year, says Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.
The Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said more than half of this year’s target of 221 million local tourists was also met with 127 million Malaysians spending about RM52.2bil.
Khairul Firdaus said the number of local tourists is expected to increase to 241 million next year and 261 million in 2026 where the domestic tourism expenditure is expected to exceed RM152bil.
“Since local tourism is often the buffer for the industry during an (economic) crisis, it should always be given attention and priority.
“It is also an important component to shape the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 where 35.6 million foreign tourists are expected to arrive with a projected expenditure of RM147bil,” he said during the launch of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Carnival 2024 (KCCM 2024) at Kompleks Kraf here yesterday.
Khairul Firdaus said the carnival, organised by Tourism Malaysia to spur local tourism, offered discounts of between 15% and 50% for local tour packages by over 100 tourism industry players.He said there are over 200 tour packages for people to choose from involving destinations nationwide.
“This year’s carnival is themed ‘crafting holidays’. It is meaningful and unique to local tourists as it is integrated with a direct experience of arts, crafts, culture and local heritage to add value to their holidays,” he said.
Khairul Firdaus said it was also the first time the carnival was jointly organised with Kraftangan Malaysia and several other agencies under the ministry.
He thanked several of the carnival’s strategic partners including Star Media Group (SMG) for their unwavering support.
Among those present at the launch were SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang.
