MOTAC targets 9.2 million tourists, spending increased by RM26.8 billion

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) revised the target of tourist arrivals and income for this year.

Through a statement, its Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said MOTAC is targeting 9.2 million tourists to enter the country by the end of the fourth quarter with a tourism income value of RM26.8 billion.

“This latest projection is based on various aggressive efforts made by MOTAC in conducting tourism promotion missions abroad to attract tourists to Malaysia.

“In addition, with the re-opening of Brunei’s border gates starting on 1 August 2022, it is expected to further increase the number of tourist arrivals to Malaysia.

“MOTAC is confident that this target can be achieved based on the current situation of the positive development of the tourism industry where more countries are relaxing exit and entry requirements,” she said.

Commenting further, Nancy said that with this development, MOTAC hopes that the country’s tourism sector can be restored immediately and return to being one of the main contributors to the country’s income.

MOTAC’s efforts to restore the tourism industry bore fruit when for the period from January to July this year, Malaysia recorded 3.21 million tourists with an income value of RM9.35 billion.

At the same time, he hopes that this target can raise the spirits of all industry players to work harder to ensure that it is successfully achieved and the country’s tourism sector becomes competitive again.

“I hope that all tourism industry players and related business chains can work together with MOTAC to ensure that this target can be achieved.

“Continuous efforts must be intensified to ensure the direction and future of the country’s tourism and culture sector remains competitive, sustainable and sustainable.

“This is in line with the desire to make Malaysia a “Sustainable, Culturally Rich Destination” by 2030 can become a reality as outlined in the National Tourism Policy,” said Nancy.

For the record, in 2019, before the country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector recorded the highest tourist arrival rate of 26.1 million people who contributed income of RM86.1 billion.

source – Astro Awani