Malaysia is dreaming big — and confidently so. With a warm smile and strong optimism, Tourism Malaysia’s Director-General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy has announced an ambitious goal: to welcome 45 million visitors in 2025.
This isn’t just a number plucked from the air. Datuk Manoharan draws hope from last year’s impressive 38 million tourist arrivals and an encouraging start to 2025 — Malaysia has already seen a 31.3% increase in visitors by February, with 6.7 million arrivals compared to 5.1 million in the same period last year.
“The numbers are telling a very hopeful story,” he shared during a heartfelt engagement with Kelantan’s tourism players on April 20. “We’re seeing strong interest from our neighbors in Singapore, as well as China and India — and that tells us that Malaysia still has its magic.”
But reaching 45 million isn’t something that can be done alone. “This is a national effort,” he added. “We need to join hands with state governments, product operators, and every passionate player in the tourism industry to make Malaysia a top global destination.”
In Kelantan, the conversation wasn’t just about numbers — it was about people, culture, and potential. The session, attended by the state’s Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Committee Chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor, explored ways to unlock opportunities for local businesses, from grants to new promotional tools.
Datuk Manoharan emphasized the importance of government support schemes like the Aviation and Charter Sector Grant (GSPC), Tourism Sector Support Grant (GSSP), Gamelan Travel Incentive, and Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK).
However, he also acknowledged an area of concern — states like Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan haven’t been as active in applying for these funds compared to others like Selangor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang.
“We’re here to help. We want every corner of Malaysia — including the quieter ones — to shine,” he said. “There’s so much beauty and culture waiting to be discovered, and we need to give those stories the spotlight they deserve.”
As Malaysia looks ahead to Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the message is clear: it’s not just about welcoming tourists — it’s about inviting the world to feel the heart of Malaysia.
