Malaysia hits record 42.2 mln visitors in 2025

Malaysia's tourism sector recorded 42.2 million visitors in 2025, an 11.2 percent year-on-year increase and 20.4 percent higher than 2019 benchmarks, the country's state agency Bernama cited Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying.

According to the report, Ahmad Zahid hailed the performance as a "solid foundation" for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

Speaking after the Tourism and Culture Cabinet Committee meeting, he emphasized that the industry has solidified its position as a primary engine for the country's economic growth and job creation.

To ensure the momentum translates into long-term fiscal strength, he said the government is adopting a "whole-of-government" approach. This involves total mobilization of the state machinery to streamline coordination across all ministries, departments, and agencies.

"The government is strengthening coordination to ensure the tourism industry remains the main driver of the country's economic growth," he said, noting that the strategy aims not only to attract more international visitors but also to extend their length of stay and maximize their spending.

xinhua