Malaysia ready for more tourists this year, say industry players


PETALING JAYA: Tourism figures can soar this year with targeted promotions and by expanding on the government’s visa-free policy, say stakeholders.

They said the outlook seemed promising with a steep increase expected in tourism dollars, aided by more flight connections to the country.

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president Mint Leong predicted a bullish tourism sector this year, especially with China and India nationals continuing to enjoy temporary visa-free status.

“It will be great if the visa-free policy for China and India is extended indefinitely,” she added.

She said the Indian market was lucrative and called for more targeted promotions to be conducted there and for more direct flights to Malaysia, with the Russian market being another with great potential if more chartered flights can be negotiated.

With Malaysia as Asean Chair this year, she proposed that promotions for the regional market be focused on short, weekend holidays.

“There should be negotiations for a win-win collaboration with Asean,” she added.

Leong said for Malaysia to remain attractive to foreign tourists, the country must always portray a positive image of itself.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Nigel Wong said demand for travel was picking up and air travel figures will rise further this year.

“We certainly see an upward trend in tourism with demand picking up,” he said, adding that the air travel industry must prepare to meet the surge in demand.

Wong said he expected tourism figures to increase sharply in the coming months, with hotels to enjoy brisk business. With that in mind, he said six new hotel projects were ongoing in Penang.

Malaysian Tourism Federation president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the government’s forecast that air passenger traffic this year will likely surpass pre-pandemic levels was extremely heartening.

“This is what we have been waiting for. With Visit Malaysia coming up in 2026 and stakeholders ramping up the momentum, this will definitely result in more arrivals,” he added.

On Wednesday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke disclosed that the national aviation sector recorded 97.1 million passengers last year – a 14.3% increase compared with 2023.

He said this year, Malaysian airports were expected to cater to more than the 109.3 million passengers recorded in 2019.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Govt online safety campaign to reach 10,000 schools, universities
Financial institution officer among seven nabbed in RM1.3mil loan fraud
Setia Alam shooting: Suspect will be arrested soon, says cops
Turkiye first lady visits Perdana Botanical Gardens
PM Anwar hosts official luncheon for President Erdogan
More Sabah, Sarawak women leaders should Perantis, minister urges
Asean unites for Gaza ceasefire, Malaysia pledges support for reconstruction effort, says Anwar
Sabah Umno denies talks of electoral pact
Forced displacement of Gaza residents is ethnic cleansing, unacceptable, says Tok Mat
Slow pace of reforms, high profile DNAA cases kept M'sia's CPI stagnant, says TI-M

Others Also Read