KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded 28.2 million foreign visitor arrivals between January and August this year, generating RM186.4bil in tourism revenue, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said the figures represent a 14.5% rise in arrivals and an 84.9% jump in revenue compared with the same period last year.
He said the growth reflects a strong recovery in the tourism sector.
Tiong said the ministry is rolling out initiatives to boost readiness for Visit Malaysia 2026.
These include refresher programmes for homestay operators, safety and language training and craft making workshops.
He said the government plans to require tour guides to master at least three languages to improve service quality.
“These initiatives will ensure Malaysia continues to offer world class hospitality as we gear up for VM2026,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 30).
