Kuala lumpur: The government is set to bolster the tourism sector by concentrating on more stable markets such as ASEAN, Australia, India, and East Asia, which encompasses China, Japan, and South Korea. This strategic move aims to maintain visitor arrivals and national revenue in light of the global supply crisis impacting air travel from West Asia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that the National Economic Action Council has agreed to this approach to ensure the sector's resilience amid global uncertainties. Nasrullah emphasized the importance of tourism in generating foreign exchange earnings and mitigating external pressures in a prolonged global crisis. During a briefing on the global supply crisis, he highlighted the cancellation of 288 flights from West Asia to Malaysia, involving 88,438 seats, though this segment accounted for less than one percent of total tourist arrivals.

Akmal Nasrullah further indicated that strategies to boost visitor numbers should focus on Malaysia's strengths as a stable and accessible destination, supported by a robust transport system and sufficient domestic energy supply. The economic impact of tourism extends beyond hotels and airlines, benefiting homestay operators, tour guides, local transport providers, restaurants, hawkers, retailers, and handicraft entrepreneurs. This economic spillover is crucial for the survival of small industries and the vibrancy of local economies.

He also announced the extension of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign to 2027, granting the international tourism market more time to recover. The campaign targets 47 million foreign visitors and RM329 billion in tourism revenue, underscoring the importance of tourism in sustaining the economy and ensuring income sources for local businesses.