Kuala Lumpur: Tourist arrivals to Malaysia in the first two months of this year surged by 31.3 per cent to 6.7 million compared to the same period last year, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this also marked a 14.5 per cent increase from the pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with Singapore accounting for the bulk of arrivals at 3.1 million, followed by China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei.

“Last year, Malaysia recorded 38 million tourist arrivals, a 31.1 per cent increase compared to the 29 million recorded in 2023. It also surpassed the pre-pandemic record of 35 million arrivals in 2019 by 8.3 per cent,” Khairul Firdaus stated.

The top tourist-generating markets were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan. Khairul Firdaus, who is also the Batu Sapi Member of Parliament, reported that the total tourist receipts reached RM106.78 billion last year, reflecting a growth of 43.7 per cent in 2023 and exceeding the 2019 level by 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with the Sandakan Tourism Association (STAN), has launched the latest brochure directory, ‘A Guide to Sandakan’, as part of its efforts to promote interstate travel to Sabah and in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

He explained that ‘A Guide to Sandakan’ directory offers attractions including stunning landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, adventure activities, cultural experiences, and local gastronomy. The brochure is aimed at encouraging domestic and international visitors to plan their holidays or weekend getaways to Sandakan, available at the airport and through travel agencies.

“From cosying up with the orangutan in the wild to getting up close with Bornean Sun Bears, the mascot of VM2026, Sandakan offers wildlife encounters and adventure. Combined with local delicacies and fresh seafood, it is the ideal gateway to explore Sabah,” he added.