PETALING JAYA: The upcoming Melaka state election could give a further boost to domestic tourism in a state that saw domestic tourism bounce back strongly last year.
Melaka recorded 20.8 million domestic visitors in 2025, 6.8 million more than in 2019 - one of the biggest increases among all states since the pandemic.
According to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) data, this represented a 49% increase from the 13.98 million domestic visitors in 2019.
This puts Melaka second only to Kuala Lumpur, which saw 12.43 million more visitors over the same period.
Negri Sembilan is third with 6.1 million more domestic visitors for a total of 19.36 million.
Local visitors are also spending more in Melaka.
The state recorded a tourism receipt of RM8.7bil last year, a 37% increase from 2019.
This year, Melaka is targeting more than 19 million tourist arrivals under Visit Melaka Year 2.0, with 225 tourism events planned and tourism revenue projected to reach RM20bil.
As Melaka heads towards its state election, the influx of politicians, supporters and media during the campaign period could provide another boost to tourism-related businesses.
Jonker Street was among the most popular destination among domestic tourists.
The bustling heritage street is known for its food, cafes, souvenirs and handicrafts, and is a major draw for visitors exploring Melaka’s historic centre.
Other popular hotspots included Pantai Klebang, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, A’Famosa – Porta de Santiago and the Stadthuys.
Find out more about the top five destinations visited by visitors in Melaka.
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Shopping was the main reason domestic travellers went to Melaka last year, accounting for more than one-third of all trips.
This was followed by visits to relatives and friends, as well as holidays, leisure and relaxation.
Selangor was the biggest source of domestic visitors to Melaka, followed by Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Negri Sembilan.
Most visitors opted for paid accommodation during their stay, with hotels being the most popular choice.
Others stayed in homestays and vacation homes, while a smaller proportion chose apartments, rest houses and chalets.
The survey also found that Melaka’s domestic visitors were relatively young, with those aged 25 to 39 making up the largest age group.
They were followed by visitors aged 40 to 54 and those aged 55 and older.
