Almost 65 million local tourist arrivals recorded in 2024

Asean News Published 2 weeks ago on 21 September 2024 | Author TIN Media
KUALA LUMPUR:

Based on the Statistics Department, there were 64.8 million local tourist arrivals in the second quarter of 2024, up 23.8% from the previous year.

 The government's chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, spending on domestic travel increased by 28.6% to RM28.1bil in the second quarter of 2024.
 
He stated that 2023 saw a significant increase in domestic tourism, with 213.7 million domestic visitor arrivals—a 24.6% rise from 171.6 million the year before. 

“In addition, domestic tourism receipts rose by 32.5% to RM84.9bil, thus reflecting the positive impact of the reopening of all economic activities.
 
 
"Yet, in 2019, total domestic arrivals were still 10.6% lower and receipts declined by 17.7% compared to pre-pandemic levels," he stated in a statement, according to Bernama.
 
According to Mohd Uzir, every state saw a notable rise in the amount and value of tourism, in keeping with the country's overall recovery.
 
With RM11.1bil in domestic tourism receipts last year, he added, Selangor took the lead, followed by Kuala Lumpur (RM11bil), Sarawak (RM6.94bil), and Pahang (RM6.73bil). 

He stated that, aside from spending on lodging, food and drink, and gasoline for cars, shopping continued to be the biggest source of tourism revenue, accounting for RM30.84 billion.
 
"Visiting friends and family was the primary reason for domestic overnight trips in all states, except Labuan, where vacation and leisure travel predominated," the speaker stated.
 
The national average length of stay, according to Mohd Uzir, was 2.45 nights, a slight decrease from 2.55 nights in 2022. However, several states and territories—including Sarawak (3.48 nights), Kelantan (3.07 nights), Labuan (2.89 nights), Kuala Lumpur (2.70 nights), Sabah (2.67 nights), and Terengganu (2.59 nights)—were longer than the national average. 

According to the social and demographic makeup of domestic tourists, the majority of visitors from households earning between RM5,001 and RM10,000 per month were found in six states and three territories: Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
 
Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak were the other seven states with the largest proportion of tourists from households with monthly incomes between RM1,001 and RM3,000 .