Melaka to host World Tourism Day and Conference 2025

Melaka, a historic Malaysian city steeped in cultural significance, has been chosen as the host for the inaugural World Tourism Day (WTD) and World Tourism Conference (WTC) in 2025.

The selection reflects the state’s commitment to tourism development, establishing Melaka as a globally renowned destination.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Tiong King Sing recently, highlighting Melaka’s historical legacy and UNESCO recognition as contributing factors to its selection.

Melaka’s historical significance

Tiong emphasized Melaka’s status as one of Malaysia’s historic cities, citing its rich historical legacy as a pivotal factor in being chosen as the venue for WTD 2025 by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO).

With UNESCO recognition as a heritage city, Melaka stands as a testament to Malaysia’s diverse cultural tapestry, offering historical treasures, culinary delights, and places of worship.

The minister stated, “The preparations for this event are also part of the measures taken by the Malaysian government in implementing the Malaysia Visit Year 2026 campaign.”

Economic impact on Melaka

In a strategic collaboration between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) and the Melaka state government, plans are underway for the mega international event scheduled for September 27-29, 2025.

Tiong highlighted that Malaysia is set to host more than 156 international business events and conferences from 2024 to 2026, generating an economic impact of RM2.3 billion.

The World Tourism Day 2025, themed “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” is a result of Malaysia being selected to host the global celebration during the 25th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

The World Tourism Day and Conference 2025 in Melaka are poised to bring together over 3,000 international and local participants, including tourism ministers, heads of national tourism organizations, and global industry leaders.

This significant event signifies Malaysia’s growing role in the global tourism landscape and highlights Melaka’s contribution to sustainable tourism.