MALAYSIA is targeting 28.1 million foreign tourists this year and is estimating RM92.2 billion in return, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Rashidi Hasbullah.

However, when asked on the figures for last year, Rashidi said his department has yet to get the full number from the Immigration Department.

“Our target this year is 28.1 million foreign tourists and we estimate an income of around RM92.2 billion.

“We are still waiting for the Immigration Department to tell us how many foreign tourists came to our country. But we know that it was 19.2 million foreign tourists as of September,” he said this morning after the flag-off ceremony of the Jelajah Harapan Programme (JB-Dubai 2019).

Speaking about the programme today, Rashidi said that six Malaysian bikers will travel via land to seven different countries in an effort to promote Malaysia.

The countries are Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

“This bike tour is an effort to promote Malaysia and this convoy will take 29 days to complete. All six bikers will carry Malaysian flags.

“I hope this programme can be an eye-opener for others to know about Malaysia. It also promotes the fact that Malaysia can be entered via land. Not just by flying in,” he added.

According to Motac’s website, Malaysia received a total of 25.9 million international tourists in 2017, and recorded a 0.1% growth in tourist receipts.

It received RM82.2 billion to the country’s revenue in 2017. – February 2, 2019.