Inside Malaysia's Target to Hit 35.6 Million Tourism Arrivals by 2026

Malaysia has unveiled its ambitious tourism strategy for 2026, aiming to welcome 35.6 million international visitors and generate RM147.1 billion ($33 billion) in tourism receipts.

The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign launched on Monday also targets 261 million domestic visitors to contribute RM115.2 billion ($26 billion) to the economy.

The initiative highlights a broader vision of sustainability, inclusivity, and economic growth, as outlined by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during Monday’s launch.

Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing emphasized the government’s focus on niche tourism experiences, cultural travel, and ecotourism to encourage longer stays and higher spending.

Between January and November 2024, the country welcomed 22.5 million tourists, surpassing 2023’s total of 20.14 million, bu