KOTA BHARU, April 20 — Malaysia is setting its sights on something big — welcoming 45 million visitors in 2025. And Tourism Malaysia’s Director-General, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, believes we can absolutely get there.
“We welcomed 38 million visitors last year, and already, as of February this year, we’ve seen a 31.3% increase compared to the same time in 2023,” he shared during a heart-to-heart engagement session with Kelantan’s tourism players. “We’ve hit 6.7 million arrivals, thanks to our friends from Singapore, China, and India leading the way.”
The confidence in his voice wasn’t just optimism — it was belief backed by real numbers and a clear vision. But Datuk Manoharan knows this dream isn’t a solo mission.
“To reach 45 million, we need everyone onboard — local product owners, tour operators, state governments — every single person involved in the tourism story,” he emphasized.
The session, also attended by Kelantan’s tourism, culture, arts, and heritage committee chairman, Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor, was more than just a meeting. It was a bridge — connecting federal efforts with local potential.
Datuk Manoharan walked participants through the exciting opportunities on the table — from the Aviation and Charter Sector Grant (GSPC) to the Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK). These initiatives, under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, are all part of the bigger picture — the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).
But there’s room for growth. “States like Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan haven’t tapped into the available grants as much as Selangor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang,” he noted gently, not as criticism, but as a call to action.
“The help is there. The support is ready. What we need now is for more local tourism players to come forward and make the most of these opportunities,” he encouraged.
With unity, passion, and shared purpose, Malaysia is ready to shine brighter on the global tourism map — not just as a destination, but as an unforgettable experience waiting to be discovered.
