KPL
Malaysia is gearing up for a significant milestone in 2026, aiming to welcome more than 35.6 million foreign tourists as part of its ambitious growth plans to establish itself as a global tourism hub.
(KPL) Malaysia is gearing up for a significant milestone in 2026, aiming to welcome more than 35.6 million foreign tourists as part of its ambitious growth plans to establish itself as a global tourism hub.
At the TRAVEX 2025 event, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rzal bin Abdul Rahim, Head of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Secretariat, introduced the campaign under the theme “Malaysia Truly Asia.” The campaign seeks to celebrate Malaysia's cultural diversity, natural beauty, and renowned hospitality.
The government projects that these efforts will generate RM 147.1 billion in tourism revenue by 2026. This target reflects Malaysia’s dedication to revitalizing the tourism industry after facing global challenges in recent years.
In addition to attracting international travelers, the VM2026 campaign also prioritizes domestic tourism, aiming for 261 million domestic tourist visits to contribute RM 115.2 billion to the economy.
“From pristine beaches and lush rainforests to vibrant cities and rich cultural heritage, Malaysia offers a variety of unique experiences,” Mr. Amirul Rzal emphasized. The campaign will showcase these attractions through extensive promotions and events designed to captivate global and domestic travelers alike.
The campaign will include partnerships with global stakeholders to expand Malaysia's reach; enhanced digital marketing strategies to attract tech-savvy travelers; and infrastructure improvements to elevate travel experiences and convenience.
Malaysia hosted 31.4 million foreign visitors last year, signaling strong recovery trends in the tourism sector. Building on this momentum, VM2026 aims to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as one of the world’s top travel destinations.
With these strategic efforts, Malaysia is poised to achieve its goals and set new benchmarks for the global tourism industry.
Malaysia officially assumed the ASEAN chairmanship on Jan 1, this year, following the formal handover from Laos during the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane on Oct 11, 2024.
KPL
