RM147.1bil in income expected for VMY2026

THE Tourism Ministry is expecting 35.6 million tourist arrivals during Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), says its deputy minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

From this, the government expects RM147.1bil in income to be generated, he said.

“To achieve these targets, the Tourism Ministry through its agencies is holding promotions and marketing activities by, among others, empowering the ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ and ‘Cuti-Cuti Malaysia’ brands.

“This is in line with the strategies of the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 and the Tourism Malaysia Marketing Plan 2022-2026,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

The ministry, he added, is also wooing foreign tourists through various activities.

“We will focus on the main target markets that contribute to the number of foreign tourist arrivals, such as Asean countries and those in West, South and East Asia, for a quick return on investment.

“The ministry is also promoting cultural, artistic and heritage products as the main tourism products through the collaboration of Tourism Malaysia, the Culture and Arts Department, the National Heritage Department, Malaysian Crafts Development Corporation and Istana Budaya.”

Khairul Firdaus urged state governments and local authorities to upgrade and maintain facilities in tourist areas to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors.

This includes improving the level of cleanliness and ensuring a cheery atmosphere for people, he added.