Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to rise with 38 million visitors in 2024, recording a 31.1% increase compared to 2023. This data not only shows a strong post-pandemic recovery, but also surpasses the previous record of 35 million tourists in 2019.
Singapore remains the top contributor with 1.7 million visitors, followed by China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei. This momentum continued in January 2025, where tourist arrivals jumped 54.4%, recording 3.8 million visitors in just one month.
In order to celebrate the arrival of tourists, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) held Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at five major airports, KLIA Terminals 1 & 2, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching.
The event was officiated by MOTAC Secretary General, YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, in the presence of a host of tourism industry leaders.
There were cultural performances, gift-giving, and demonstrations of traditional dishes like "buka lemang" and "kacau dodol" to greet the tourists. The event was further energised by Wira and Manja, the official mascots of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
The surge in tourist numbers has also brought a huge economic impact, with tourism industry revenue reaching RM106.78 billion in 2024. This figure increased by 43.7% compared to 2023 and surpassed pre-pandemic revenue in 2019 by 20%.
With this success, Malaysia is now actively preparing for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign which emphasizes sustainable tourism and authentic cultural experiences.
The government is also working with regional countries within the framework of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) to promote the region as a major tourism destination.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
