PUTRAJAYA: The Statistics Department’s Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) indicates that domestic tourism in Malaysia increased significantly in 2023, with total expenditures amounting to RM78.7bil, up from RM59.2bil in 2022.
A statistical framework known as the TSA is used to assess the performance of the tourist sector and how much it contributes to GDP (gross domestic product).
According to Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, the three primary reasons for the rise in domestic tourist expenditure were food and beverage (17.5%), vehicle fuel (14.3%), and shopping activities (39.2%).
He stated that spending on incoming tourism has increased significantly, from RM33.8bil in 2022 to RM75.8bil.
“The favourable performance of Malaysia’s tourism industry in 2023 was influenced by stronger demand from internal tourism expenditure, which consists of inbound and domestic expenditure,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 12).
According to Mohd Uzir, the number of people employed by the tourism sector increased from 3.2 million in 2022 to 3.4 million in 2023.
He pointed out that the retail trade, food and beverage, and tourism services peculiar to a country accounted for the majority of employment in the sector.
Furthermore, according to Mohd Uzir, the tourist industry increased by 10.3% from 13.9% to RM275.8bil (RM275.8bil) in 2023, making up 15.1% of the GDP.
Additionally, the Tourism Direct GDP increased to RM81.2bil in 2023 from RM48bil in 2022 – Bernama.