KUALA LUMPUR – Foreign tourist arrivals in Malaysia increased by 14.5 per cent compared with the year 2024, said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

A total of 28,242,804 tourists visited Malaysia from January 2025 to August 2025, compared with 24,665,306 in the same period in 2024.

The ministry said numbers for 2025 also mark a 16.4 per cent increase over 2019, which recorded 24,258,413 foreign tourists.

“This reflects positive growth in foreign tourist arrivals in Malaysia,” the ministry said in a written parliamentary reply on Oct 8.

“It also reflects strong and sustainable momentum in the post‑pandemic period,” it added.

The ministry said this dispels perceptions that the national tourism sector is in decline.

On Visit Malaysia 2026, a tourism campaign, it said aggressive marketing and promotions are ongoing domestically and internationally.

This includes overseas sales missions and engagement sessions with government agencies, the private sector and tourism associations nationwide.

Grants have been provided to support cultural, tourism, sports and festival events to attract tourists and media.

“Collaborations are also held with tourism agencies, airlines and hotels to offer attractive packages through specific grants,” it said.

“This aims to enhance tourism marketing and promotional activities,” it added.

Digital platforms, social media and influencers are used alongside television, radio, print and billboards.

These carry tailored messages to target audiences.

“These strategies are critical to ensuring the effectiveness of Visit Malaysia 2026,” the ministry said.

It said the strategies also build the country’s image, stimulate ...