KOTA BARU: Kelantan and Kedah are ready to welcome tourists in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Kelantan tourism, culture, arts and heritage committee chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Noor said the state has set a target of attracting 12 million domestic and international tourists this year.
He described the target as realistic, citing last year’s visitor count of approximately 11 million, of which almost 90% were domestic tourists.
The state will focus on improving accessibility by expanding its major points of entry, including those in Kota Baru, the Thai border, Gua Musang and Pasir Puteh, to attract more visitors.
“We have planned 52 programmes for this year, compared to 41 last year, and will continue with successful existing initiatives,” he said after opening a state-level programme for VM2026 at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport here yesterday.
Kamarudin said the state also plans to raise its international profile by inviting overseas tourism industry representatives to visit and promote its attractions.
This would help shift its image from a mere transit stop to the Perhentian islands to a destination worthy of a longer stay, reported Bernama.
He also announced the launch of a new boat service to the Perhentian islands from Tok Bali, set to begin in March.
Meanwhile, Kedah exco member Dzowahir Ab Ghani said the state is targeting over seven million tourists to explore its natural beauty, rich culture and unique offerings.
He added that the state government has prepared a diverse range of tourist destinations, both in Langkawi and on the mainland.
“Last year, we welcomed seven million tourists, exceeding our set target. This shows that Kedah has strong appeal to visitors,” he told the media here.
While Langkawi remains the primary tourist destination, he said there are numerous other attractions to discover on the mainland.
He added that the state government will continue to enhance tourism infrastructure and collaborate closely with the Federal Government to further attract tourists.
Dzowahir also said Kedah is emerging as a popular destination for “slow tourism”, where visitors seek a more laid-back, peaceful experience in rural settings.
“The people of Kedah are known for their warmth and hospitality, and we are always eager to welcome guests. Come to Kedah for VM2026 – our welcoming spirit is one of our greatest strengths,” he added.
