Data & Insights

Malaysia Travel Data

First-party tourism statistics, trends, and insights for travellers, researchers, and industry professionals.

25.0M
International Arrivals (2024)
RM 85B
Tourism Revenue (2024)
RM 3,400
Avg Spend per Tourist
+12%
YoY Growth (2024)

International Tourist Arrivals (2015–2024)

Malaysia welcomed 25 million international visitors in 2024, recovering to pre-pandemic levels. The sharp dip in 2020–2021 reflects global travel restrictions, followed by a strong rebound from 2022 onward.

Bar chart showing Malaysia international tourist arrivals from 2015 to 2024, with a dramatic dip in 2020-2021 and recovery to 25M in 2024

Tourism Revenue (2015–2024)

Tourism revenue reached RM 85 billion in 2024, surpassing the 2019 peak of RM 86.1 billion. The sector contributes approximately 14% to Malaysia's GDP, making it one of the country's largest economic engines.

Area chart showing Malaysia tourism revenue from 2015 to 2024 in billion RM, showing recovery to 85B in 2024

Top 10 Source Countries (2023)

Singapore dominates as the primary source market, accounting for over 40% of all arrivals. Indonesia and Thailand follow as the next largest ASEAN markets. China's recovery has been slower post-pandemic but is accelerating.

Horizontal bar chart of top 10 source countries for Malaysia tourism in 2023, with Singapore leading at 8.2M arrivals

Seasonal Tourism Pattern

December and August are peak months, driven by year-end holidays and summer travel. The monsoon season (November–March) on the east coast shifts demand to the west coast and Borneo, creating a balanced annual flow.

Line chart showing monthly tourist arrivals to Malaysia throughout the year, with peaks in December and August

Visitor Distribution by State

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor together capture over 40% of all visitors, followed by Penang and Johor. Sabah and Sarawak are growing rapidly as nature and adventure tourism gains popularity among international travellers.

Donut chart showing Malaysia visitor distribution by state in 2023, with Kuala Lumpur as the largest segment

Average Spend per Tourist

The average spend per tourist has risen steadily, reaching RM 3,400 in 2024. This reflects longer stays, higher-value experiences, and increased spending on accommodation, dining, and activities post-pandemic.

Line chart showing average spending per international tourist in Malaysia from 2015 to 2024 in Malaysian Ringgit

Data Sources & Methodology

All data is compiled from official sources including Tourism Malaysia (MOTAC), Department of Statistics Malaysia, Immigration Department arrival records, and state tourism board reports. Figures for 2024 are based on preliminary data through Q3. Historical data is adjusted for reporting methodology changes. For questions, corrections, or data licensing inquiries, contact us via the footer.

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