A TOTAL of 20.1 million foreign visitors came to Malaysia last year, bringing the tourism revenue to RM66.1 billion for the January-September period.

This is noted in the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s 2019 report card, which said last year also saw the Malaysian Homestay Experience programme, aimed at strengthening the rural economy, recording 458,899 tourists with a total tourism revenue of RM29.7 million.

In the business tourism cluster, 109,838 international delegates with an estimated economic impact of RM1.8 billion were registered through the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau programme.

The report said the Malaysia My Second Home programme recorded RM14.1 million in visa fees last year.

Revenue from the cultural sector saw an economic impact of RM585.4 million, including earnings from arts and crafts, the visual arts sector (RM547.9 million), performing arts (RM28.7 million) and cultural heritage (RM4.1 million).

A total of 29.3 million tourists visited the country’s Unesco world heritage sites and cultural events in 2019.

The report said 1,809 complaints involving tourism operators, guides and vehicles were recorded through the enforcement of the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) and Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999 (Act 594).

In addition, 2019 saw Malaysia being awarded a number of global recognitions, including securing the top spot on the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index’s halal-friendly holiday destinations list. – Bernama, January 24, 2020.