Malaysia Sets Sights on 35.6 Million Tourists by 2026 in Ambitious Tourism Drive

Rising high with bold targets—Malaysia gears up to be Asia’s tourism powerhouse

Malaysia has unveiled an ambitious strategy to welcome 35.6 million international tourists and generate RM147.1 billion ($33 billion) in tourism receipts by 2026. The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign also targets 261 million domestic travellers contributing RM115.2 billion ($26 billion) to the economy.

Backed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vision, the initiative focuses on sustainable, inclusive tourism with niche experiences and ecotourism aimed at increasing visitor spending and trip duration.

Between January and November 2024, Malaysia recorded 22.5 million tourist arrivals. Singapore remains the top market, followed by Indonesia, China, and India, where arrivals grew by 72% compared to 2023, bolstered by visa-free travel and expanded flight routes.

As Malaysia enhances connectivity, cities like Kuala Lumpur are becoming travel hubs. For comforting stays, PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur offers well-appointed living spaces for travellers in search of a centrally-located service apartment in Malaysia.