Malaysia's Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry reported a significant 14.5% increase in foreign tourist arrivals, with 28,242,804 visitors from January to August 2025 compared to 24,665,306 during the same period in 2024, demonstrating strong and sustainable momentum in the post-pandemic tourism recovery and dispelling perceptions that the national tourism sector is experiencing decline.
The ministry emphasized in a written parliamentary reply on October 8 that the 2025 figures also represent a 16.4% increase over pre-pandemic levels, surpassing the 24,258,413 foreign tourists recorded in 2019, reflecting positive growth and robust performance that positions Malaysia's tourism industry on a strong recovery trajectory.
In preparation for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the ministry is implementing aggressive marketing and promotional strategies both domestically and internationally, utilizing digital platforms, social media, influencers, television, radio, print media, and billboards with tailored messages to target specific audiences, while also providing grants to support cultural, tourism, sports, and festival events designed to attract tourists and media attention.
The government has established strategic collaborations with tourism agencies, airlines, and hotels to offer attractive travel packages through specific grants aimed at enhancing tourism marketing and promotional activities, with these comprehensive strategies considered critical to ensuring the effectiveness of Visit Malaysia 2026 while building the country's international image and stimulating the tourism economy.
The ministry's statement came in response to Member of Parliament for Pulai Suhaizan Kaiat, who raised concerns about a reported 39% drop in Langkawi arrivals during the Malaysia Day 2025 period, prompting officials to clarify nationwide foreign arrival trends and outline comprehensive strategies heading into the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign to maintain tourism growth momentum.
