Tourism Malaysia aims for 27.3 mil tourists in 2024

Tourism Malaysia aims to surpass its previous milestones by welcoming 27.3 million foreign tourists in 2024, building on the success of attracting over 20 million visitors last year.

Director-General Datuk Ammar Abd Ghapar is optimistic about achieving this ambitious target, citing various strategic initiatives and government support as key drivers.

Tourism Malaysia initiatives drive tourism growth

Ammar highlights the government’s supportive measures, including the charter flight matching grant incentive and the Visa Liberalisation program, as catalysts for tourism growth.

The charter flight initiative is particularly emphasised, aiming to boost the frequency of flights to Malaysia by providing financial incentives to airlines for increasing their services.

The charter flight initiative incentivises airlines to increase services to Malaysia, diversifying entry points beyond Kuala Lumpur to include destinations like Kota Kinabalu, Penang, and Tawau.

The goal is to make Malaysia more accessible from various global locations, thus attracting a larger number of international tourists.

Visa liberalisation programme spurs arrival

The Visa Liberalisation programme, allowing visa-free entry for Chinese and Indian nationals since December 1, has shown promising results.

This move has led to a notable increase in tourist arrivals from these countries.

Notably, the visa-free travel for Chinese travellers has spurred a significant uptick in enquiries and bookings, with Trip.com reporting a 53.9% increase in inbound travel to Malaysia for the Chinese New Year in 2024 compared to the previous year.

With these strategic measures in place, coupled with ongoing efforts to promote Malaysia’s diverse attractions, Tourism Malaysia is confident in achieving its 2024 target.

Tourism Malaysia aims to attract about 200,000 tourists from China each month, highlighting the importance of this market in achieving their annual target

The focus on accessibility and diverse marketing approaches underscores Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining its status as a top destination for international travellers.

As Malaysia remains an attractive option for budget-conscious travellers, visitors can expect a seamless and enjoyable experience exploring the vibrant and diverse landscapes of Southeast Asia.