KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is on the right track for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, according to leading travel industry magazine Travel and Tour World.
The magazine, with 15 million subscribers, gave Malaysia a glowing report in its Feb 10 publication on the country’s successful policies in drawing tourists, which saw a 20% growth over a year.
It juxtaposed Malaysia’s efforts against the likes of Japan and South Korea to explain why Malaysia succeeded while others are still scrambling for tourism numbers.
“Japan relied on world-class service but growth plateaued. South Korea promoted pop culture tourism yet numbers were modest. Malaysia chose a different path. It used data to customise marketing and invested in sustainability. Partnerships were built with airlines and digital platforms,” said the report.
It credited the government for a long-term growth plan that saw relaxed visa rules and overseas campaigns that went to the core of Malaysia — authenticity.
The strategy included highlighting festivals, cuisine and natural attractions. “Communities across the country were involved, and benefits reached towns and villages,” the report read, citing some of the reasons for receiving 38.3 million visitors by November 2025.
The ASEAN Summit also showcased Malaysia’s ability to host and highlighted the country as an interesting, diverse and safe destination. – February 14, 2026
The full report can be read here: