Batu Caves. (Photo by Amin Haiqal)
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Malaysia Witnesses Surge in Domestic Tourism with Record 48.6 Million Visitors in Q1 2023
In a recent report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), domestic tourism in the country has experienced a remarkable surge, with both the number of visitors and their expenditure reaching unprecedented levels.
In a recent report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), domestic tourism in the country has experienced a remarkable surge, with both the number of visitors and their expenditure reaching unprecedented levels.
PUTRAJAYA, 27 JUNE, 2023 – Domestic tourism in Malaysia has experienced a remarkable boost, as revealed by the recent report published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). According to the MALAYSIA’S DOMESTIC TOURISM SURVEY (DTS) 2022, the first quarter of 2023 saw a significant surge in domestic visitors, reaching a record high of 48.6 million. This represents a substantial increase of 33.7 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
The report also highlights the growth of domestic tourism on a quarterly basis. In comparison to the fourth quarter of 2022, the first quarter of 2023 witnessed a 3.9 percent increase in domestic visitors. This positive trend indicates a growing interest among Malaysians in exploring their own country.
The expenditure of domestic tourists during the first quarter of 2023 also saw a remarkable increase. The total domestic tourism expenditure reached RM19.2 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 47.0 percent. Furthermore, comparing it to the previous quarter, there was a 4.6 percent rise in expenditure.
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Looking back at 2022, the annual statistics revealed an impressive recovery in domestic tourism. The total spending by domestic tourists amounted to RM64.1 billion, a remarkable increase of 248.1 percent compared to RM18.4 billion in 2021. This significant growth is a positive sign for Malaysia’s economy and brings a sense of relief after nearly two years of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report also sheds light on visitor arrivals, travel patterns, tourism expenditure, and the social and demographic characteristics of domestic tourists.
When it comes to the purpose of domestic tourism, visiting relatives and friends remained the primary motivation, accounting for 33.7 percent of domestic tourism activities, compared to 24.2 percent in 2021. However, it has yet to surpass the pre-pandemic level of 42.3 percent. Shopping remained the second most significant purpose, contributing 29.9 percent, but it experienced a decline from the previous year’s 36.4 percent.
Moreover, the average length of stay (ALOS) also increased, rising to 2.55 days in 2022 from 2.19 days in the previous year, indicating a greater willingness among domestic tourists to explore different destinations and extend their stays.
In terms of domestic visitor arrivals by state, Selangor emerged as the most visited state in 2022, attracting 22.0 million domestic visitors. It was followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak, which welcomed 16.9 million and 15.5 million domestic visitors, respectively. Notably, Pahang experienced a significant surge in domestic tourists, with a remarkable increase of 511.8 percent, reaching 7.8 million visitors compared to the previous year’s 1.3 million.
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The surge in domestic tourism signifies a positive trend for the country’s tourism industry, demonstrating a strong recovery and indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels. The remarkable increase in visitor numbers and expenditure is an encouraging sign for the domestic tourism sector and provides hope for continued growth and revival in the coming years.
Please visit www.dosm.gov.my for more information.
