Jetty visit: Ahmad Zahid (third from left) visiting the fishermen’s jetty after launching the Desa Kirana tourism packages at Dataran Pantai Batu 23, Sungai Nibong, Sekinchan, yesterday. — Bernama
SEKINCHAN: At least 100,000 tourist visits to rural destinations are being targeted through 25 Desa Kirana @KKDW locations nationwide in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026), says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this target is in line with the government’s aspiration to ensure rural areas are not left out of the economic benefits generated by tourist arrivals.
“We do not want rural communities to be mere spectators without enjoying the economic benefits of tourist arrivals,” he said when launching the Desa Kirana tourism packages.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said most tourists coming to Malaysia are from the Asean region, Oceania such as Australia and New Zealand as well as Europe, noting that only a small number come from North or South America, while the largest numbers are from China and India.
He said data also showed strong interest among tourists from South Korea and Japan in experiencing Malaysia’s rural lifestyle.
He said all parties, including homestay operators and village heads, must look after their locations to ensure they are not neglected even after the VM 2026 campaign ends.
“This is to ensure the promotion does not remain short-term, with the locations abandoned once the programme concludes.
“I revisited several homestays in Selangor and Negri Sembilan during a Cabinet retreat and was saddened to find them poorly maintained as many operators are elderly.
“There must be continuity and a culture of maintenance,” he said, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid said his ministry, along with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, will make every effort to support the success of related tourism products while boosting the economic standing of rural communities.
The Rural and Regional Ministry in a statement said the Desa Kirana programme, which covers 25 locations across Malaysia, represents a strategic approach to a comprehensive and unique rural tourism package with local communities serving as the main drivers.
The ministry also targets a 20% increase in income for local communities next year, taking into account the potential and uniqueness of each location.
