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Malaysia’s international visitor arrivals grew 11.2% in 2025, more than double the global tourism recovery rate of around 4% reported for the same period, according to the Communications Minister.
The minister said Malaysia’s growth also outpaced the Asia-Pacific region’s average expansion of roughly 6%, and credited the performance to sustained government investment in tourism infrastructure and hospitality services. Officials said the momentum strengthens the foundation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the flagship campaign targeting a record number of international arrivals this year.
The government has signalled that upgrading tourism infrastructure and improving service standards nationwide remain key priorities to sustain the growth into VM2026 and beyond.
Why it matters: Sustained above-average arrival growth strengthens the case for tourism training and licensing pipelines like GIT Academy’s to keep pace with demand for qualified tourist guides and frontline hospitality staff.
GIT Academy Kuantan principal Pan Chee Wan served as tourist guide for Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's official delegation visit to Kuantan.
Sabah's 2025 visitor arrivals rose to 3.79 million and tourism receipts reached RM8.74 billion, with the state now targeting 4 million arrivals in 2026.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is converting the former Mutiara Penang Resort into InterContinental Penang Resort and opening new properties in Sabah and Kuching, backed by rising hotel demand.
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