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Tourists from China spend an average of RM7,000 each, providing a significant boost to Malaysia's economy ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
This was revealed by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who cited feedback from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia during the launch of the I Lite U project in Bukit Bintang on 29 October.
With Visit Malaysia 2026 around the corner, the country is priming itself to welcome roughly 47 million international tourists and aims to generate RM160 billion in tourism revenue.
Nga said Malaysian businesses stand to gain financially
"Imagine if even a portion of the 47 million tourists we are targeting spend at that level," he said, according to The Sun.
"The benefits would reach hotels, food and beverage outlets, retail, handicraft sectors, and even the media. When tourism grows, the whole nation gains."
Nga added that Malaysians must play an important role in providing tourists with positive travel experiences.
"What the public can do is simple – do not litter, keep shared spaces clean, and showcase what makes Malaysia unique. Tourists need good stories, and Malaysia has plenty of them," he said.
Tourists from China make up the third largest group of travellers visiting Malaysia, after Singaporeans and Indonesians
Between January and April 2025 alone, 1.4 million tourists from China visited the country, according to Tourism Malaysia.
In 2024, roughly four million tourists from China visited Malaysia, a whopping 160% increase from 2023's 1.4 million figure, CNA.
One major factor behind the increase was the up to 30-day visa-free travel allowance for tourists from China. The Malaysian government has since extended this exemption until the end of 2026.
