Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through Tourism Malaysia, is set to enhance its approach by concentrating on stable and high-performing markets such as China, Indonesia, Japan, and India. This initiative aims to strengthen Malaysia's tourism sector by focusing on both established and emerging markets, including long-haul destinations like Russia, Germany, and Australia, to diversify its market presence.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Chiew Choon Man emphasized the importance of collaborating with industry stakeholders to overcome operational challenges and manage cost pressures. Highlighting the positive trajectory of Malaysia's tourism sector, Chiew noted that the country welcomed 17.5 million visitors by May this year, marking a 3.4 percent increase from the previous year's 16.9 million. This growth signals a promising outlook for maintaining momentum towards 2026.

Speaking at the Festival Budaya Malaysia (FBM) 2026 in Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, Chiew reiterated MOTAC's commitment to leveraging arts and culture as pivotal attractions for Malaysia's global promotion, with a particular focus on the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. He stressed the importance of cultural tourism as a dynamic economic driver, highlighting the potential of local traditions such as the dabus dance and Ipoh gastronomy to create sustainable, high-value tourism products.

To sustain this developmental momentum, Chiew underscored the necessity of robust infrastructure support. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the federal government, through MOTAC, has allocated RM 44,189,100 for 13 projects in Perak, including six large-scale projects and seven aimed at maintaining or improving tourism facilities with a total investment of RM1,393,000. These projects encompass conservation efforts, facility upgrades, and the development of eco-tourism attractions, underscoring MOTAC's strategic focus on enhancing Malaysia's tourism landscape.