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Malaysia welcomed 42.2 million visitors in 2025, laying a strong foundation for a successful Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign
The figure marks an 11.2% increase from 38 million visitors in 2024, and about a 20.4% rise compared to 35 million arrivals pre-pandemic in 2019.
According to Bernama, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this positive performance highlights tourism's role as a key driver of Malaysia's economic growth.
To sustain this momentum for VM2026, Ahmad Zahid said the government will enhance coordination across all ministries and agencies
"The government is strengthening coordination across all ministries and agencies to ensure the tourism industry remains the main driver of the country's economic growth," he said.
He was speaking after a Tourism and Culture Cabinet Committee meeting, which aimed to align ministries, departments, and key agencies under a whole-of-government approach.
Ahmad Zahid added that the meeting underscored the tourism industry's strategic importance, particularly its contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), job creation, and fiscal strength.
He said all government bodies have been urged to work in an integrated manner to attract more international visitors, encourage longer stays, and increase tourist spending in Malaysia
As VM2026 is a key national agenda, the meeting also discussed several tourism-related initiatives, including the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme, the Premium Visa Programme, a proposed takeover of tourism vehicle regulation, efforts to position Malaysia as an Umrah transit hub, and the development of cruise tourism in the country.
The Nation recently reported that Thailand received 32.9 million foreign tourists in 2025. This makes Malaysia the most visited country in Southeast Asia — overtaking Thailand, long regarded as the region's tourism heavyweight.
