Penang:In the first half of 2026, Penang attracted approximately 285,400 medical tourists, generating RM601.8 million in medical tourism revenue, as reported by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wong Hon Wai, chairman of the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, highlighted the significant scale of Penang's medical tourism market and its continued importance to Malaysia's healthcare travel industry. He noted that Penang welcomed about 520,000 medical tourists in 2025, resulting in RM1.14 billion in revenue.
The figures mentioned by Wong pertain solely to hospitals and exclude dental clinics, clinical laboratories, diagnostic centers, pharmacies, and other related healthcare service providers. Wong emphasized that the actual number of medical tourists and the economic activity generated are likely more substantial when considering the entire medical tourism ecosystem.
Penang remains a leader in Malaysia's medical tourism industry, accounting for more than one-third of the country's market in terms of both the number of medical tourists and economic contribution. Wong attributed Penang's appeal not only to its competitive pricing but also to its internationally accredited healthcare institutions, modern facilities, high-quality services, multilingual capabilities, and a supportive communication environment.
Efforts by the state government to promote medical tourism and improve infrastructure have bolstered Penang's standing as a competitive destination in Asia. Indonesia continues to be Penang's largest source market, with direct flights from several Indonesian cities, and a new direct route from Batam to Penang is set to begin on October 18.
However, Wong stressed the need for Penang to diversify its international source markets due to growing competition from countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Pakistan. He identified the Arab region and Australia as potential markets, highlighting Penang's Muslim-friendly tourism offerings and its attractions, including beaches, food, heritage sites, and cultural heritage, as appealing to medical tourists from these regions.