ECOTOURISM is set to be the main attraction for tourists visiting Malaysia next year as RM110mil has been allocated for the development of the particular sector in Budget 2025.
This is in addition to the RM550mil allocated to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026). This will fund promotional campaigns such as cultural, and arts and craft events.
The allocation for ecotourism, meanwhile, will encompass upgrading and maintaining existing nature attractions in the country, developing potential or new ecotourism spots, and supporting the nomination of the Sungai Lembing mines in Pahang, the Chingay parade and lion dance into the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Some of the sites that are in need of upgrading works include the Endau-Rompin National Park in Johor – an Asean Heritage Park – Pulau Redang in Terengganu and Pantai Tusan Bekenu in Miri, Sarawak.
The allocation can definitely help improve the quality of these places if properly utilised, says Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong.
“There is a need to ensure that we continue to enhance our promotion of the country as an attractive, accessible and safe holiday destination.
“One way to do that is to empower local stakeholders, especially inbound travel businesses, by ensuring they have the funding and resources needed to sell Malaysia more aggressively,” he said in a statement.
Wong highlighted that the private sector must also be empowered to take on more active roles when it comes to promoting VMY 2026.
“We cannot rely solely on the government,” he said, adding that there must be a strategic approach, including extensive consultation with private sector stakeholders, to ensure optimum results in preparation for VMY 2026.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Tourism Federation president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the country can leverage Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, which begins in January 2025.
“With a population of 700 million in Asean, there’s a huge potential to tap into the region’s tourism growth,” he said.
The focus on ecotourism will not just benefit international visitors but domestic tourists too.
Thahira Saibullah, 30, from Kuala Lumpur, supports the move to improve ecotourism sites in Malaysia, and hopes that Taman Negara in Pahang will be included in the plan.
“Many people who have been to the place talked about its poor facilities, so this is the reason why I’m hesitant about visiting it. Hopefully, the park’s amenities and infrastructure will be improved,” she said.
Though Thahira feels that Malaysia has huge potential when it comes to ecotourism, she said some of the attractions are difficult to get to.
Atasha Ahmad, 34, also from KL, said Malaysia has natural wonders that are worth showcasing to the world.
One such hotspot, she added, is Sarawak’s Santubong, where travellers can catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy dolphins.
As for Melaka native Elaine Lee, 26, travelling around Malaysia is not always favourable for her as some places are simply not easily accessible.
However, she agrees that Malaysia does have plenty of unique experiences to offer.
“Staying in an Orang Asli village, for instance, would be a great experience for international tourists,” she said.
