KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s domestic tourism sector recorded a strong recovery in 2025, with annual expenditure reaching RM121.0 billion, a 13.3 percent increase from the previous year.
The total number of domestic visitors rose to 290.1 million in 2025, marking an 11.5 percent increase compared to 2024, according to the latest annual report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
This growth was driven by resilient domestic demand and a surge in travel during school holidays and year-end festive seasons.
Domestic tourism spending peaked in the fourth quarter of 2025 at RM32.6 billion, reflecting a 12.4 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
“The quarterly performance reflects sustained domestic demand, supported by higher spending on accommodation, food and beverage services, transportation, and retail activities across tourism-related industries,” said Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Sector-specific indicators remained strong throughout the quarter, with domestic arrivals at airports increasing by 17.9 percent.
Higher mobility and travel-related consumption also contributed to a 7.1 percent increase in automotive retail sales.
The accommodation subsector recorded solid growth, with revenue rising by 14.7 percent as hotel occupancy rates improved across all categories.
DOSM emphasised that the sector’s growth underscores its vital role in strengthening domestic demand and supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
This sustained growth in 2025 continues to position domestic tourism as a key pillar of Malaysia’s economic resilience. — March 17, 2026