PETALING JAYA: Ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Malaysia’s stint as the ASEAN Chair, participants in the tourism industry have urged the government to increase the 2025 allocations for technology, product development, marketing, and digitalization.
They said that by actively promoting tourist destinations, states could draw in more domestic travellers for the “Cuti-Cuti Malaysia” campaign.
Datuk Angie Ng, head of the Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association, advocates for greater emphasis on digital marketing and improved aircraft connectivity.
“Digital approaches should be prioritized over traditional promotion methods, especially with the extension of visa-free entry for Chinese tourists until the end of 2026,” the speaker stated.
Ng emphasized the possibility of LED ads in busy locations and the ability of key opinion leaders (KOLs) to draw in tourists.
“Short promotional videos featuring KOLs with millions of followers can effectively highlight Malaysia’s attractions,” the speaker stated.
Ng also emphasized the significance of boosting charter flights from lesser-known Chinese locations and expanding direct flights to Malaysia.
In Budget 2025, the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association demanded more funding for the travel industry.
Mint Leong, its president, suggested tax breaks for travel agents who specialize in incoming tourism.
She claimed that doing this would lessen their financial strain and support their marketing initiatives to draw in more visitors.
She went on to suggest that development funding and special awards be made available to both domestic and foreign investors for new tourism initiatives.
Leong emphasized the strategic importance of Malaysia’s upcoming role as the ASEAN Chair, pointing out that the government intends to hold almost 300 official and ministerial-level meetings.
“To increase tourism, it is imperative to develop the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector,” she continued.
Leong also strategically supported funding, giving creative and sustainable tourist initiatives priority.
She emphasized that to support foreign exhibitions and promotional efforts, the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry needs diverse funding.
Tourism is going to be digitalized in the future. We must identify our direction and provide strong protection for our promotion websites,” she stated.
She also emphasized the necessity of successfully marketing Malaysia’s tourism spots, pointing out that, despite the nation’s wealth, luring investors is still a difficulty.
“We have to maintain both digital and traditional forms of advertising while making sure these platforms are secure,” she continued.
Datuk Seri Koh Yock Heng, head of the Malaysia Cruise Industry Association, demanded that the government offer more incentives to draw cruise ships from around the world to utilize Malaysia as their main home port.
To establish Malaysia as a top travel destination, he advocated for the modernization of the port infrastructure at Port Klang, Penang, and Langkawi, as well as the implementation of efficient international marketing techniques.
In his Budget 2024 speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that 2026 will be designated as Visit Malaysia Year. The goal is to draw in 26.1 million foreign visitors and generate RM97.6 million in domestic expenditure – The Star
