BANGKOK, 3 July 2025 – The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia has concluded a successful Tourism Sales Mission across Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok which ran from 22 June to 3 July 2025. The mission aimed to enhance bilateral tourism cooperation and lay the foundation for stronger ties ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Led by the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, the mission brought together Malaysian delegation comprising 24 organisations, including travel agencies, product owners, hotels, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agents, and the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI).
YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing stated, “Thailand and Malaysia are more than neighbours – we are partners in progress. This mission is a call to rise together as collaborators, driving shared prosperity and sustainable tourism growth throughout Southeast Asia.”
Southeast Asia remains a core pillar of Malaysia’s tourism strategy. In 2024, ASEAN countries contributed 28.19 million visitor arrivals, accounting for 74.3% of Malaysia’s international visitors and generating RM54.38 billion in receipts. Thailand alone delivered 2.27 million visitors, and while there was a slight 1.4% dip in arrivals, Thai travellers spent RM3.99 billion, a 23.3% year-on-year increase, indicating a trend toward higher-quality tourism.
The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, themed “Surreal Experiences,” positions Malaysia as a destination for meaningful, culturally rich, and family-friendly travel. Thailand is viewed as a key market to attract higher-spending and longer-staying travellers due to its convenient transport connectivity and cultural familiarity. In addition, the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme continues to appeal to Thai families and retirees who seek affordable, comfortable long-stay options in Malaysia.
Key emphasis was placed on initiatives to expand air with land connectivity, promote twin-destination packages, support sectors including medical tourism, education mobility and Muslim-friendly travel.
Both countries also expressed a shared commitment to simplifying border procedures, strengthening marketing partnerships, and championing sustainable tourism practices.
From January to April 2025, Malaysia welcomed 13.4 million
international visitors, a 21.0% increase compared to the same period last year.
Of this total, arrivals from Thailand reached 833,610, reflecting a healthy
year-on-year growth of 3.4% and underscoring Thailand’s continued importance as
a key source market.
-Tourism Malaysia.
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