Kuala Lumpur:Tourism Malaysia is seeking a larger budget allocation for 2027 to meet its target of 47 million tourist arrivals as part of the extended Visit Malaysia campaign.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Director-General Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim emphasized the necessity of increased funding to maintain Malaysia's competitiveness in the global tourism market. The request aligns with industry players' hopes for more resources to strengthen international promotional efforts.

Mohd Amirul Rizal highlighted the tourism sector's broad impact across society, affecting not only hotels and restaurants but also operators of related products and services. He mentioned that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has applied for a higher budget than last year to support international-scale events, which can attract foreign tourists and contribute significantly to the country's GDP.

Tourism statistics indicate a 2.5 percent rise in international visitor arrivals, reaching 21.1 million from January to June 2026, compared to the previous year. Domestic tourism expenditure also showed growth, with a 15.8 percent increase in the first quarter of the year.

Despite positive trends, the target for the Visit Malaysia campaign has not yet been met, partly due to the West Asia conflict. Nonetheless, the government continues to aim for 47 million international arrivals, with the Prime Minister agreeing to extend the campaign until 2027.