Malaysia targets 47 million visitors in 2026 tourism push

By Kim Dong-young Posted : October 1, 2025, 17:28 Updated : October 1, 2025, 17:28
Night time view of Kuala Lumpur provided by the Tourism Malaysia Courtesy of Tourism Malaysia Seoul
Night time view of Kuala Lumpur, provided by the Tourism Malaysia/ Courtesy of Tourism Malaysia Seoul
 
KUALA LUMPUR, October 01 (AJP) - Malaysia unveiled an ambitious target to draw 47 million international visitors in 2026 at the opening of Global Travel Meet 2025, a three-day summit focused on sustainable tourism development and industry partnerships.

The event, running from Oct. 1 to 3 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, seeks to bolster Malaysia's standing as a premier travel destination while building momentum for Visit Malaysia 2026, the country's major tourism campaign.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan inaugurated the gathering following a traditional Malaysian dance performance, emphasizing the event's significance beyond the nation's borders.
 
Deputy Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture of Malaysia Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan middle speaks at a press conference during the Global Travel Meet 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Oct 1 2025 AJP Kim Dong-young
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (middle) speaks at a press conference during the Global Travel Meet 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 1, 2025. AJP Kim Dong-young

"Global Travel Meet 2025 is more than just an event; It is a platform where ideas are transformed into action," Khairul Firdaus said, describing the summit as a catalyst for driving collective government and industry efforts toward the 2026 goals.

The exhibition floor bustled with multinational booths displaying an array of products, from traditional sparkling rice wine to double-decker tram buses with open-air second stories, as buyers and sellers converged to explore business opportunities.
 
A hop on hop-off tour bus on display at the Global Travel Meet 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Oct 1 2025 AJP Kim Dong-young
A hop on, hop-off tour bus on display at the Global Travel Meet 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 1, 2025. AJP Kim Dong-young

Tourism Malaysia hosted a welcome dinner at the five-star Sunway Resort Hotel, where Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing addressed guests on the strategic importance of tourism partnerships.

Tiong King Sing highlighted Malaysia's commitment to advancing tourism as a cornerstone of national development while championing sustainability, inclusivity and innovation across the sector.

The minister said the gathering would facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative growth while reinforcing a shared commitment to building a resilient and forward-looking tourism landscape.
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