Malaysia sets sights on record 47 million foreign tourists in 2026 

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (MNTV) – The Malaysian government is targeting 43 million foreign visitors this year and 47 million in 2026, in line with the aspirations of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), reports Malay Mail. 

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in a statement that three key strategies have been outlined to ensure the success of VM2026.

The strategies are creating demand through stronger branding and more aggressive marketing campaigns, as well as boosting traffic via tactical cooperation with airlines, travel agencies, and regional land or sea entry points.

One strategy is to focus on high-impact segments, including ecotourism, shopping tourism, and niche attractions tailored to specific markets. 

“This VM2026 campaign is a national agenda with the objective of increasing tourism revenue, strengthening Malaysia’s international competitiveness, and ensuring that the tourism sector remains a major contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product,” Hamidi said.

“In 2024, Malaysia received 38 million foreign visitors, an increase of 31.1% compared to the previous year,” he said.

The VM2026 National Main Committee chairman also stressed the importance of seasonal tourism promotion strategies, particularly to attract visitors from the Middle East region, which experiences extreme weather seasons. “One of the proposed initiatives is to intensify the Malaysia Midnight Sale to position Malaysia as a premier shopping destination,” he said.