Melaka: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Malaysia will host World Tourism Day 2025, alongside the World Tourism Conference 2025, in Melaka, offering an ideal opportunity to highlight the nation’s tourism strengths on a global stage. These events are scheduled for September and will provide Malaysia with a significant platform to demonstrate its readiness to lead in the tourism sector.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid expressed that the event in Melaka should serve as a moment to inspire the world, showcasing Malaysia’s potential to lead, welcome, and shape the future of meaningful travel. He highlighted that Melaka alone attracted 15 million visitors last year, contributing RM12.68 billion in tourism revenue, a notable achievement under the Visit Melaka Year 2024 initiative.

In his speech at the pre-launch ceremony for World Tourism Day 2025, World Tourism Conference 2025, and Melaka’s 17th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmad Zahid emphasized a strategic national focus for Visit Malaysia 2026. He described tourism as a powerful driver for sustainability and inclusivity, underlining the importance of public-private partnerships, and a collaborative approach for a resilient tourism recovery.

Ahmad Zahid also shared insights from his recent visit to London, where he engaged with trade leaders, media, and airline partners. The objective was to increase UK arrivals from 390,000 to 500,000, a move that could potentially boost tourism revenue from RM2.5 billion to over RM3.3 billion. Additionally, Malaysia’s ranking as the world’s fifth most Muslim-friendly destination and its consistent performance in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator were noted as further endorsements of its tourism appeal.