Penang: Penang has defended the performance of its tourism sector, saying the Domestic Tourism Survey Report 2025 published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) does not represent actual hotel accommodation records, but is instead based on sampling models and questionnaire responses.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the survey should not be considered a comprehensive measure of Penang's tourism performance as it was based on statistical sampling rather than actual hotel accommodation records. Wong emphasized that the data is not an actual record of tourist arrivals or stays, but is derived from a sampling model and questionnaire feedback which have limitations in terms of sample size and data collection methods.
Wong elaborated that although statistical research commonly uses such methods, the accuracy of the data heavily relies on the sample size used. The report, he noted, sampled only 2,830 Enumeration Blocks for the entire 13 states and three Federal Territories, with Penang accounting for just 205 sample blocks, which he argued is a relatively small portion.
His comments were in response to a media statement by Penang Gerakan chairman Oh Tong Keong regarding the recently published DOSM Domestic Tourism Survey Report 2025, which indicated that Penang recorded only 5.6 million domestic tourists, ranking 12th among 13 states and Federal Territories nationwide. Oh had criticized the Penang Government for focusing too much on international tourism while neglecting the domestic market's potential.
Wong countered these claims by highlighting official Tourism Malaysia data, which showed that Penang recorded 8.76 million hotel guests in 2025, comprising 5.29 million domestic tourists and 3.47 million international visitors. He added that Penang also ranked fifth in the country for total hotel guests, despite its small geographical area, trailing only behind Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Johor, and Selangor. In terms of international tourists staying in hotels, Penang ranked third, after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
He stressed that while sampling has statistical value, it should not lead to broad conclusions, as the limited sample size might not accurately reflect the actual situation or provide a detailed picture of the tourism industry's performance. Wong also pointed out that the survey was not conducted at key locations such as airports, hotels, or tourist attractions, which could result in lower visitor numbers being recorded for major tourist destinations like Penang.
Wong explained that DOSM's definition of domestic visitors includes tourists who stay at least one night, as well as same-day visitors who travel and return on the same day. He noted that the figures published by DOSM also account for those returning to their hometowns to visit relatives, with the survey showing that 35.6 per cent of the trips were made to visit relatives or friends, and 56.2 per cent involved stays at the homes of relatives or friends.
He further elaborated that same-day visitors, who accounted for 67 per cent of the survey sample, typically do not stay in hotels and spend less, thereby limiting their direct contribution to the tourism industry despite increasing overall visitor numbers in the statistics.
In conclusion, Wong stated that the data published by DOSM has a certain reference value for understanding tourism trends, but due to limitations in survey methods, sample size, and definitions used, it cannot accurately reflect the actual performance of tourism destinations as a whole. He emphasized that Penang, renowned for its overnight tourism experiences, cultural heritage, arts, and festivals, cannot have its attractiveness and economic contribution assessed based on just one questionnaire survey.