KUALA LUMPUR: The Johor government has channelled more than RM143.84mil into upgrading tourism infrastructure, public facilities and accessibility across the state since 2025.
Johor unity, heritage and culture committee chairman K. Raven Kumar said the allocation was in line with the Visit Johor 2026 campaign, with almost 12 million visitors expected to travel to the state throughout the year.
"This supports our bigger mission under Visit Johor 2026, where we are working towards our target of 12 million visitors, especially from the domestic market and neighbouring countries like Singapore and Indonesia.
"The momentum is already very positive. Based on data from the Johor Immigration Department, Johor recorded 25 million foreign visitor movements in 2025, with 3.95 million already recorded as of February this year," he said on Saturday (April 4).
Raven Kumar said in his speech when officiating the 58th Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair April 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on behalf of Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Also present were MATTA president Nigel Wong and Tourism Johor director Mohammad Nazrul Abd Rahim.
The MATTA Fair April 2026, which runs from April 3 to 5, continues to serve as a key platform for the industry while supporting the broader growth and sustainability of Malaysia’s tourism sector.
Raven Kumar highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between industry players and government stakeholders in driving tourism growth.
"In addition, Johor's growing prominence as a key tourism destination further reinforces this momentum, ensuring the state does not remain just a stopover," he added.
Wong emphasised that the focus remains on strengthening trust and confidence within the travel industry.
"Today, travel is about assurance; it's about trusting the right providers. At MATTA, we place strong emphasis on building trust between travellers and our licensed members.
"When visitors engage with MATTA members, they are dealing with accountable and credible professionals who can manage every aspect of their journey, from planning and booking to on-ground support. This is where real value lies, and this is what gives travellers peace of mind.
"From here on, our role is to continue strengthening this industry, ensuring that travellers are supported, protected and able to plan with confidence," he said.
The fair is supported by partners including the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) as its endorsing body, RHB Bank Berhad as the official bank partner, Malaysia Aviation Group as the official airline partner and premier sponsor, and Visit Malaysia 2026 as a strategic partner.
Johor is currently featured as Malaysia’s Favourite Destination, while Macao is highlighted as the International Favourite Destination.
Visitors can also take part in a series of activities and exclusive promotions throughout the three-day event. The Buyers' Contest returns, offering a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of flight tickets to Paris with a minimum spend of RM100 on travel packages.
Other activities include the Ride & Reels campaign, which encourages visitors to document their journey to the fair, as well as Spin & Win sessions offering exclusive merchandise.
"Travel has always given people something to look forward to, whether it is visiting somewhere new or returning to a familiar place. Moving forward, through initiatives like MESTI, we are placing more attention on sustainability.
"As we step further into Visit Malaysia 2026, MATTA will continue its efforts to support the industry by providing a steady and trusted platform for both industry players and consumers," Wong added.
