Pahang: Pahang has recorded 13,743,272 tourist arrivals, with an estimated spending of RM12.35 billion last year, thus exceeding the state government's target of 13.5 million tourists.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man stated that this figure shows a positive increase of 3.87 percent compared with the same period in 2023 of 13,231,064 tourists and an estimated spending of RM11.89 billion. She noted that this number considered only tourists who stayed for at least one night, excluding day trippers, and believed the tourist arrivals would be higher if these daily visitors were recorded.

The four destinations in the state that received the highest number of tourists who stayed over were Genting Highlands with 8,554,379 tourists, Kuantan with 2,289,914, Cameron Highlands with 1,377,732, and Temerloh with 286,038. Additionally, Taman Negara recorded an increase in visitor arrivals last year at 135,435 tourists compared to 128,592 tourists in 2023.

Leong announced this at the Planning for Pahang Tourism 2025 press conference, which was also attended by Pahang Tourism general manager Kamaruddin Ibrahim. Given the encouraging performance of tourist arrivals, Leong mentioned that the state government has set a target of 13.8 million tourists this year by organizing several domestic and international programs and ensuring that each district promotes at least one tourism product.

Currently, 35 tourism events have been included in the Pahang tourism event calendar, with plans to add more over time. For 2025, Pahang Tourism will emphasize programs such as the Malaysia International Tourism Expo Pahang, entering its second year. Efforts are also underway to bring travel agencies from abroad, including Singapore, China, and India, and local agencies from Selangor, Perak, Johor, and other states to promote Pahang.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin highlighted that domestic tourists were the biggest contributors to tourist arrivals, accounting for 80 percent, while the rest were international tourists. He noted that Singaporean tourists, who make up around 60 percent of international arrivals, are particularly interested in nature-based tourism products and ecotourism.