KUALA LUMPUR: An estimated RM320.43mil in economic returns was generated by the three-day Rain Rave Water Music Festival that was held recently, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the festival, from April 30 to May 2, attracted 150,000 domestic tourists, and 100,000 foreign tourists from China, Japan, Bangladesh, India, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.
“It gave an estimated return of RM320.43mil to the economy,” said Tiong during Ministers' Question Time in Parliament on Tuesday (June 23).
Tiong said the event, held under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, attracted about 415,000 visitors and generated RM392.33mil in economic returns across six states
He said that economic impacts estimates were done by his ministry through the departing visitor survey and supporting data by the Statistics Department.
“This reflects the strength of cooperation between the government and private sector, as well as support from main malls,” Tiong added.
According to Tiong, the event involved four days in Terengganu, Melaka (two days), Labuan (two days), Negri Sembilan (two days), Johor (two days), and Langkawi (three days).
“It involved a cost of RM15mil. RM11mil under the government and RM4mil from the private sector,” he added.
Tiong also said every RM1 spent by the government generated an estimated RM35 in economic returns.
Tiong said the festival brought significant benefits to retail businesses, where shopping malls such as Lot 10 recorded a 40% increase in visitor traffic and Sungei Wang Plaza registered 31.3% increase in visitors.
Tiong was responding to Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) who asked how the Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026 under the VM2026 campaign had contributed to tourism in Malaysia.
Young Syefura then asked what are the other main events by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry that will be held in conjunction with VM2026.
Tiong said his ministry will announce the full list of major events under VM2026 within the next month or six week after adjustments to a few programmes due to the ongoing Iran conflict.
Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) then asked for a breakdown of the expenditure of the event and whether the event was appropriate, Tiong said the event is open to all tourists regardless of their racial or religious background.
“Anyone who wants to attend, just attend, If you can’t attend, don’t. Our programmes are not based on race or religion,” added Tiong.
