10 Highlights
10 Highlights
January-February . 2024
An impactful year in tourism
MOTAC showcases dynamic leadership in 2023 by navigating achievements and challenges
THE WORLD HAS EMBARKED ON A collective journey towards economic recovery after the pandemic , with various sectors striving to regain stability . Being one of the most affected industries , the tourism sector has been diligently working towards revival since the resumption of worldwide activities .
Malaysia , recognising the crucial role of tourism in its economic landscape , has actively contributed to this global effort . The Ministry of Tourism ,
SOARING BEYOND TARGETS
Arts and Culture Malaysia ( MOTAC ) and its agencies have been pivotal in orchestrating initiatives and strategies to revitalise the tourism sector .
Under the dynamic leadership of MOTAC Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing , Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan , and Secretary-General Dato ’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman , 2023 has witnessed MOTAC setting and surpassing ambitious targets , marking a year of remarkable achievements and milestones .
MOTAC aimed to achieve 16.1 million arrivals of international tourists in 2023 , generating revenue of RM49.2 billion . Meanwhile , the anticipated income from domestic tourism is RM79 billion .
However , the country achieved an impressive milestone , attracting nearly 15 million tourists just by September 2023 , with complete data for the whole year yet to be disclosed . According to Tourism Malaysia and the Immigration Department , a total of 14,467,037 tourists entered the country from January to September 2023 . Singaporean tourists led the list with 5,895,152 , followed by Indonesia ( 2,227,991 ), Thailand ( 1,153,630 ), China ( 1,037,600 ), Brunei ( 574,856 ), and India ( 472,858 ), with the remaining visitors coming from various countries .
The government has also announced that Visit Malaysia Year ( VMY ) will be scheduled for 2026 , providing a significant timeframe for tourism stakeholders to enhance and refine their services and offerings . The target for VMY 2026 is 35.6 million tourist arrivals with tourists receipts totalling to RM147.1 billion .
RM65 million Grant
TRIUMPHS AND RECOGNITIONS
MOTAC , through its agency Jabatan Warisan Negara , achieved 17 cumulative recognitions for Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO . In 2023 , the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau ( MyCEB ) contributed to the organisation of 223 events by providing support to related industry players . These events had facilitated an economic impact of RM3.25 billion and hosted 837,891 delegates in total .
Tourism Malaysia received the Putra Brand Awards 2022 , Bronze Winner in the Transportation , Travel & Tourism category . The agency had also successfully organised multiple sales missions throughout the year to promote Malaysia ’ s tourism worldwide . The countries included in the sales mission were India , China , Indonesia , Taiwan , the Philippines , Bahrain , Kuwait and New Zealand , among others .
Through MOTAC ’ s Islamic Tourism Centre ( ITC ), which focuses on Islamic tourism development , Malaysia was honoured as the Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year ( OIC ) and Muslim Women-friendly Destination of the Year .
ASWARA , the only government-supported institution under MOTAC for performing arts education , achieved a remarkable 73 per cent employability rate for its graduates .
GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
IN 2023 , MOTAC allocated a grant totalling RM65 million to support and encourage various initiatives , including RM25 million for Geran Sokongan Sektor Pelancongan ( GSSP ) distributed among 222 recipients , RM25 million for Geran Sokongan Sektor Kebudayaan ( GSSK ) benefiting 411 recipients , and RM15 million for Geran Galakan Melancong Malaysia ( GAMELAN ) benefiting 500 recipients .
GSSP and GAMELAN aim to provide support and incentive assistance to private entities , non-governmental associations / organisations ( NGOs ), and industry enthusiasts . Their goal is to ensure the competitiveness of the tourism , arts , and cultural sectors while promoting Malaysia as a safe and compelling destination . This initiative also serves as a crucial step in the recovery of the severely affected tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic , with the hope of reaffirming Malaysia ' s status as a premier tourist destination in the Asian region .
GSSK , on the other hand , is a government initiative announced in the 2023 Budget under MOTAC ' s Tourism Recovery Plan to ensure that the artistic and cultural ecosystem in the country remains competitive and empowered .
In 2023 , MOTAC has issued Small-Scale Tour Operation and Travel Agency Business Licences ( TOBTAB ) to 30 operators . Additionally , 1,000 Malim Gunung Perhutanan ( MGP ) and 200 Geoguide licences have been granted . In the craft industry , a total of 6,724 craft entrepreneurs generated sales valued at RM280.3 million .
Halal in Travel Awards . Sales mission to Bahrain . Sales mission to India .