Segmentation of the tourism sector is done, attract quality tourists – Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will segment the tourism sector in an effort to attract more high-quality, high-income tourists to the country in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), starting this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the segmentation of the tourism sector will be divided into existing markets (establishing markets) and new markets (emerging markets).

He explained that this was one of the things that was achieved in the engagement session with tourism industry activists, which he chaired today.

“We are doing this because a program should be started from now and next year will be the implementation because in 2026 we will receive tourists according to the target group that has been set.

“I am confident that with the involvement of the private sector, these tourism activists in all fields will be able to support all programs of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to attract tourists,” he said in the press conference, here on Friday.

Also present was the Deputy Minister of MOTAC, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet’s Tourism Development Committee added that the government is targeting high-quality and high-income tourists because it can indirectly help the national economy.

At the same time, he said the tourist target for VM2026 remains 35.6 million people.

“We appreciate the tourists from China, India and Indonesia, but we feel that the efforts that I say are high-end inbound tourists are also important for us to bring, not only in terms of the number of tourists but to what extent the foreign exchange earned from these tourists will can develop our country’s economy,” he said.

In addition, Ahmad Zahid also said the government is revising the Tourism Industry Act 1992 to adapt to the current tourism market and meet the requirements of VM2026.

He explained that the discussion regarding the review has started.

“We adapt to the current tourism market situation and for at least the next 20 years before any modifications (amendments) are made (to the act again),” he added.