PARLIAMENT | Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin has urged the government to take advantage of the recovery of the global tourism sector and the depreciation of the ringgit to boost the nation’s tourism industry.
Hamzah (Perikatan Nasional-Larut) said that the government should not wait for the Visit Malaysia campaign in 2026 to boost the tourism industry.
“The government needs to take advantage of the recovery trend of the tourism sector around the world and also the fall in the value of the ringgit to push the tourism industry to a much higher level.
“Therefore, PN proposes that expenditure related to Visit Malaysia (2026) should now be expedited to increase promotion, and strengthen infrastructure and facilities,” he said during his debate session on the Budget Supply Bill 2024 in Dewan Rakyat today.
Last week during the tabling of the Budget 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Visit Malaysia has been set for 2026 with a target arrival of 26.1 million foreign tourists and an estimated domestic expenditure of RM97.6 billion ringgit.
He said the government is providing RM350 million ringgit to boost tourism promotion and activities so that Malaysia returns as the world's top tourist destination.
Meanwhile, Hamzah also said that apart from increasing the number of tourists, the government should focus on high-value tourism.
"For example, luxury boat tourism in Langkawi, nature tourism such as in Danum Valley in Sabah and Niah Cave National Park in Sarawak.
"This opportunity should not be wasted and some improvements including the visa aspect should be revisited so that Malaysia can push the tourism industry to a higher level," he said. - Mkini
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