SIBU: Malaysia recorded 32.2 million international tourist arrivals from January to November last year, a 31.8% increase from 25.9 million visitors in the same period in 2023.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Statistics Department of Malaysia figures showed 193.3 million domestic tourist arrivals for the first nine months of last year, up from 158.7 million for the same period in 2023.
This was an increase of 21.8%, he said during a ministry community event in Sibujaya on Tuesday (Dec 31) night.
Domestic tourism expenditure from January to September reached RM77.8bil compared to RM61.2bil in 2023, reflecting growth of 27.2%, he added.
ALSO READ: Malaysia's domestic tourism in Q3 soars with RM25.6bil spent, says DOSM
In December, chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said domestic tourism was one of the main pillars of the country's economy, driven by growth in visitor numbers, high spending and strong performance across the tourism-related industry.
"This growth is expected to continue, strengthening the importance of this sector to the overall economic health of the country," he said.
