A selection of bitesize news stories currently making the headlines in Malaysia:
Over ten million arrivals recorded in Q1 2026
Malaysia recorded a new tourism milestone in the first quarter of 2026, welcoming more than 10.6 million international visitors—the highest ever for the period and the second consecutive year the country has crossed the 10 million mark in the first three months of the year. In a recent statement, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Malaysia received 10,647,200 international visitors between January and March this year, representing a 5.4 per cent increase from the same period last year.
(source: Malay Mail)
Malaysia’s medical tourism sector continues to grow
Malaysia’s medical tourism sector continues to grow, reflecting sustained international confidence in the country’s affordable and high-quality healthcare system, despite the implementation of the six per cent Sales and Service Tax (SST) on selected healthcare services. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has said Malaysia remained a preferred destination for foreign patients seeking quality treatment at competitive prices, with demand continuing to rise across major healthcare hubs nationwide.
(source: NST Online)
Malaysia Airlines brings Malaysia’s largest airline trade summit to Sabah
In a strategic collaboration with Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Airlines successfully hosted the third edition of its flagship Trade Elevation Summit (TES) from 12 to 15 May 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. As Malaysia’s largest airline trade event, TES 2026 brought together key industry stakeholders from across the global travel and aviation ecosystem, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred tourism and connectivity hub during Visit Malaysia 2026.
(source: Phoenix Newspaper UK)
Tourism Malaysia recalibrates international visitor strategy
Tourism Malaysia will recalibrate its strategy for international visitors, putting greater emphasis on Asia-Pacific markets while maintaining its presence in long-haul and Middle Eastern countries. This move comes following the ongoing and prolonged regional conflicts, causing disruption to global travel. Malaysia is targeting 47 million tourist arrivals under Visit Malaysia 2026, which has now been extended into 2027 with a stronger focus on resilience and market diversification. The source markets in China and India are considered central to the effort.
(source: The Star)
Get the latest on Malaysia, follow Panorama Destination and never miss a thing!
