KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) — Business events will be instrumental for Malaysia to achieve its targets of 35.6 million tourist arrivals and RM147 billion in total receipts during Visit Malaysia Year 2026, as well as a 16 per cent contribution to gross domestic product from the tourism sector during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period.
In saying this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pointed out that business delegates are high-value travellers, as they stay longer, spend more, make repeat visits, and often return with their families.
“More importantly, business travellers bring with them ideas, investments, and influence,” he said in his opening speech at the Business Events Awards Gala Dinner here today.
According to him, the tourism sector is also resurgent and remains a key national priority.
“In 2024 alone, foreign tourist expenditure surged to RM102.2 billion, a strong indicator that Malaysia’s appeal is not only intact, it is expanding,” Ahmad Zahid said.
Over the past decade, Malaysia has hosted more than 3,000 business events, drawing over a million delegates and generating an estimated RM18 billion in economic impact.
Ahmad Zahid said the government recognises the business events industry as a strategic engine for inclusive, sustainable and high-impact growth.
He said the government is taking concrete steps by streamlining visa facilitation, especially for high-frequency travellers, and upgrading major airports and convention venues to meet global standards.
In addition, he said, it is looking at deepening inter-agency collaboration, especially between the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS); the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry; and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
“But infrastructure alone is not enough,” he said at the MACEOS-organised event. “To MACEOS, I urge you to rise even higher.”
— BERNAMA
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