Malaysia's Domestic Tourism Surges in 2025, Driving Economic Growth

According to official public statistics, the number of domestic tourists visiting Malaysia in 2025 increased by 11.5 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 290.1 million.

 Malaysia's Department of Statistics issued a statement indicating that domestic tourism expenditure in that year reached 121 billion Ringgit (30.86 billion US dollars).

 This expenditure represents a 13.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. Overall, due to the rising number of tourists, high tourism spending, and the robust performance of tourism-related industries, Malaysia's domestic tourism sector remains a key pillar of economic growth.

 According to the department, this continuous growth observed in 2025 has clarified the sector's significant role in strengthening domestic demand, supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and enhancing overall economic resilience. 

According to fourth-quarter statistics, the number of domestic tourists increased by 10.8 percent year-on-year to reach 74 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2025, tourist numbers increased by 2 percent in the fourth quarter. 

With the increase in tourism activities, domestic tourism expenditure in the fourth quarter reached 32.6 billion Ringgit, which is a 12.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous quarter, this expenditure was found to have increased by 9.1 percent.