Kuala Lumpur Hospitality 2H/2024

TOURISM HAS EXTENDED ITS VISA-FREE ENTRY TO CHINA IN AN EFFORT TO BOOST THE INDUSTRY

Malaysia aims to achieve 27.3 million visitors in 2024, 36% more than the tourist arrivals in 2023 (20.1 million visitors). In the first half of 2024, visitor arrivals increased by 28.9% to 11.8 million, compared to 9.2 million during the same period in 2023. Correspondingly, tourist receipts surged by 50.8%, reaching RM45.4 billion, compared to RM30.1 billion in the first half of 2023. Average spending per tourist also grew by 17% to RM3,846 in the first half of 2024, from RM3,288 in 2023. According to the latest statistics from Tourism Malaysia, tourist arrivals have been recorded at more than 20.6 million as of October 2024, surpassing the 2023 total.

This recovery is attributable to several key initiatives, including relaxed visa requirements, visa exemptions for travellers from China and India, and the introduction of new airlines and routes. The extension of the 30-day visa-free entry for visitors from mainland China, coupled with large-scale events and concerts, has also bolstered tourist arrivals. To sustain this momentum, the government has allocated RM550 million for tourism promotion under Budget 2025 and an additional RM110 million to improve tourism infrastructure. These measures aim to support the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, aiming to attract 35.6 million visitors and generate RM147.1 billion in tourist receipts by 2026.