Malaysia Sees 20% Rise in Tourist Arrivals from Jan to May

Malaysia's international tourist arrivals rose 20% from January to May 2024, reaching 16.9 million, driven by increases in arrivals from Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Thailand. Long-haul markets such as Australia and the UK also saw significant growth. The government attributes this success to strategic initiatives, visa liberalization, and support for industry players. Malaysia aims to reach 47 million tourist arrivals in 2026, focusing on key markets.

Malaysia has witnessed a significant surge in international tourist arrivals, with a 20% increase from January to May 2025, reaching 16.9 million visitors. This growth is attributed to strategic government initiatives, visa liberalization, and targeted industry support. The tourism sector in Malaysia has been bolstered by contributions from key markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Australia, and the UK.

Singapore remains the top contributor, accounting for 8.34 million visitors, a 26.5% year-on-year increase. Indonesia, with 1.82 million visitors, saw a 10.3% increase, while China contributed 1.81 million visitors, marking a substantial 38.8% growth. Thailand contributed 1.06 million visitors, a 5.2% increase, and India saw a 32.0% increase in arrivals, bringing the total number of Indian visitors to 664,811. Long-haul markets also showed growth, with Australia recording 198,968 visitors, a 16.6% increase, and the UK contributing 185,197 visitors, reflecting an 8.7% growth.

The government attributes this success to various initiatives, including the Visa Liberalisation Plan, targeted industry incentives, and robust promotional campaigns. Malaysia aims to reach 47 million international tourist arrivals in 2026, focusing on key markets such as Central Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

References:

[1] https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/malaysia-singapore-indonesia-china-thailand-india-australia-and-the-uk-drive-tourism-growth-with-over-20-increase-in-international-arrivals/
[2] https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/malaysia-reportedly-seeks-20-tariff-cap-from-trump/ch8MdxeR5s5
[3] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L6N3TJ070:0-malaysia-s-tourist-arrivals-up-20-from-jan-to-may-ministry-says/