In a significant boost for Malaysia’s tourism sector, this nation has recorded a remarkable 26 million tourist arrivals from January 1 to November 15, 2023, according to the latest statistics from the Immigration Department. The data reveals that Singaporeans took the lead, contributing 12,645,364 tourists, followed by Indonesia (3,166,295), Thailand (2,073,162), China (1,407,471), Brunei (904,841), and India (780,532), with the remaining visitors hailing from various other countries.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister – Mr. Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing expressed optimism about the continuous growth in tourist arrivals, especially with the recent implementation of a 30-day visa exemption for travelers from China and India starting December 1. He stated during the Malaysia Batik Day Celebration walkabout session at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex: “We hope for the best and that we can increase the number of tourists, especially after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced visa exemptions for China and India for 30 days beginning Dec 1.”
Source: The Star News: Malaysia records 26 million tourist arrivals from Jan 1 to Nov 15, says ministry
The festive atmosphere continued with the Rahmah Batik Sales, a special initiative launched in conjunction with the Malaysian Batik Day Celebration. Kraftangan Malaysia director-general Ainu Sham Ramli expressed hopes that this event would provide the public with the opportunity to purchase batik items at an affordable price, with special offers and collaborations with batik entrepreneurs. The celebration, held for five days from November 30 to December 4, targeted sales of RM1 million and witnessed increased participation with 820 entrepreneurs, compared to 797 the previous year.
As Malaysia’s tourism industry continues to thrive, these developments reflect a positive outlook for the nation’s economy and cultural exchange. With the implementation of visa exemptions and exciting initiatives, Malaysia is poised to attract even more visitors in the coming months, contributing to the growth and vibrancy of its tourism landscape.
For insights into the tourism performance of other Southeast Asian countries, explore Outbox’s SEA Tourism Performance Report at this link.
