Malaysia attracts 10 million foreign tourists, generating RM28.2 billion in 2022
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia managed to attract 10 million foreign tourists and generate RM28.2 billion in tourism revenue in 2022 through the implementation of the Tourism Recovery Framework (TRF) 2.0, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the number exceeded the set target of 9.2 million foreign tourists with RM26.2 billion in income.
He said TRF 2.0 has five main strategic pillars which are supporting the recovery of tourism and cultural businesses, in addition to restoring confidence in tourism and smooth international and intraregional travel.
“In addition, reinventing tourism and cultural products or services to drive competitiveness; harmonizing tourism with sustainability and inclusion; and strengthening recovery with long-term resilience and preparedness to face crises,” he said when wrapping up the committee-level debate on the Supply Bill 2023 for the ministry.
Regarding the proposed organization of the Malaysian Culture Week, he said the event has been included in the ministry’s calendar and will be organized on a national scale involving a special allocation of RM5 million to ensure that its organization produces a higher impact than the previous year.
The Dewan Rakyat then approved an allocation of RM837,175,600 for the ministry in the 2023 Budget at the committee level through a majority vote.
Earlier, the Dewan Rakyat approved an allocation of RM673.5 million for the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
In closing, the deputy minister concerned Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the ministry would continue the International Innovation Hub program with an allocation of RM18 million.
He said the allocation will be spent for the purpose of developing technopreneur facilities which also involve training programs (coaching), mentoring as well as marketing access programs and intellectual property (IP) development.
“MOSTI aims for foreign companies, especially from ASEAN countries, to use the facilities developed and subsequently operate at MRANTI (Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation),” he said.
