Govt extends Visit Malaysia campaign to 2027

 Economy minister Akmal Nasir says this is to allow more time for the global tourism market to recover from the Middle East conflict.

Malaysia will also start targeting more stable tourism markets such as Southeast Asian and East Asian countries, Australia and India to maintain the arrival of visitors and inflow of tourism receipts. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The government has decided to extend the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign to 2027 to allow more time for the global tourism market to recover from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Economy minister Akmal Nasir said the government will continue to aim for the arrival of 47 million foreign visitors and to generate RM329 billion in tourism revenue, as targeted under the initial VM2026 campaign.

He said this was decided by the National Economic Action Council today as part of several measures to ensure the economic resilience of the tourism sector amid global uncertainties.

Akmal said Malaysia will start targeting more stable tourism markets such as Southeast Asian and East Asian countries, Australia and India to maintain the arrival of visitors and inflow of tourism receipts.

“In this current situation, the continuity of all critical industries is part of our strategy to ensure the country’s economic survival,” he said.

He said a total of 288 flights from West Asia to Malaysia were cancelled within a month of the crisis, involving 88,438 seats.

However, the segment accounts for less than 1% of total tourist arrivals in Malaysia.

Linking up with Australia and China for critical inputs

Akmal said the government is pursuing strategic supply arrangements with key partners like Australia and China to ensure the continuity of critical inputs for the economy.

“Cooperation with Australia is currently focused on ensuring the continuity of energy and agricultural inputs, including Malaysia’s need for phosphate for fertiliser production and Australia’s need for urea fertiliser from Malaysia.

“With China, the focus is on strategic measures to increase the supply of resin and naphtha to support the production of critical medical devices in the country,” he said.

He also said the government is stepping up efforts to strengthen energy security, with more than 70% of biodiesel blending depots nationwide ready to implement the B15 biodiesel programme using existing facilities.

“Operational adjustment measures are being formulated by blending depots to ensure the efficiency and security of petroleum product supply to consumers,” he said. - FMT