Malaysia has announced an ambitious plan to welcome 47 million international visitors, including 300,000 from Bangladesh, under its flagship Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, aiming to boost regional tourism and strengthen global connectivity.

Malaysian Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan unveiled the target today while inaugurating the Global Travel Meet 2025 at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, according to a press release.

The three-day global tourism business event has brought together 600 international buyers and 400 Malaysian sellers, including hoteliers, travel agents, airlines, and tourism operators.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Khairul Firdaus said: “Global Travel Meet 2025 is more than just an event; it is a platform where ideas are transformed into action. This event stands as a vital catalyst in igniting renewed energy and driving strong momentum into the year ahead through the collective efforts of government, industry players, and partners in realising Kuala Lumpur's ambitious goals for VM2026.”

The programme includes business-to-business sessions, high-impact networking, strategic business matching, and familiarization trips showcasing Malaysia’s cultural, eco-tourism, culinary, and adventure attractions.

Supported by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air, and key tourism associations such as the Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (MICA) and the Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (MITTA), the event underscores Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen its global tourism position.

Malaysia’s tourism sector has rebounded strongly since the pandemic. The country recorded 38 million international arrivals in 2024, marking a 31.1% increase from 2023 and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 8.3%. From January to July 2025, arrivals stood at 24.5 million, up 16.8% compared to the same period last year.

Tourism Malaysia expressed confidence that this momentum, coupled with strategic partnerships and promotional drives, will help the nation meet its 47 million visitor target for 2026.

MN/