Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia recorded 4.82 million Muslim tourists with an estimated expenditure exceeding RM15 billion as of November last year, compared to 4.5 million tourists with RM14.7 billion in spending in 2023. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Indonesia, Brunei, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan are among the top five countries contributing to the increase in Muslim tourist arrivals to Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that market projections indicate Islamic tourism is expected to grow by around 1.2 percent annually, positioning Malaysia to capture a significant share of this market by 2028 with the collaboration of all involved parties. His remarks were made during the official launch of ‘IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia.’
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and the Founder of IslamiCruise International, Suhaimi Abd Ghafer, were also present at the event. Ahmad Zahid emphasized Malaysia’s recognition as a leading Muslim-friendly tourist destination by the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), showcasing the country’s strength in this sector.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), noted that Malaysia’s Islamic heritage, encompassing mosques, historical sites, and cultural attractions, plays a crucial role in the success of Islamic tourism. This success is further bolstered by a well-developed Islamic tourism infrastructure, Muslim-friendly hospitality, and a variety of halal-certified hotels, restaurants, products, and services.
He also highlighted the importance of Malaysia’s halal industry, which is a significant driver for Islamic tourism through diverse, guaranteed halal food and beverages, along with food festivals and unique culinary experiences. Government initiatives promoting Islamic tourism through agencies such as Tourism Malaysia, the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), and the Department of Culture and Arts Malaysia (JKKN) also support this growth.
As the chairman of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026) Committee, Ahmad Zahid stated that the country aims to attract more than 35.6 million tourists, with an expected revenue of approximately RM147.1 billion. He expressed hope that IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia, which aims to attract over 70 percent of foreign passengers from regions such as the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia, will significantly contribute to achieving this target.
Ahmad Zahid remarked that the launch of IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia represents a historic milestone for the country’s tourism industry, offering substantial opportunities for industry players to grow and strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
He congratulated IslamiCruise International Sdn Bhd for pioneering the Islamic tourism industry on cruise ships since 2014, acknowledging their decade-long success as an inspiration to continue innovating and providing unique, high-value travel experiences.
The IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia is set to commence in February 2026 and is expected to offer significant opportunities to promote Malaysia’s Islamic tourism on a global scale, aligning with the MADANI government’s goal of making Malaysia a top destination for VM 2026.