Malaysia Prepares for ASEAN Chairmanship and Visit Malaysia Year
Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance is set to allocate funds to boost the tourism sector in preparation for Malaysia's upcoming role as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Finance Minister II, Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, emphasized the opportunity to boost global awareness of Malaysia's tourism industry during this important time. The Minister noted that tourism is vital for generating rapid revenue for the country and expressed optimism about increasing tourist arrivals following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following a meeting with Terengganu state tourism stakeholders regarding the 2025 Budget, the Minister also highlighted the need to improve infrastructure across country and support industry professionals through incentives and skill development. The Ministry of Finance will explore this further with Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (MOTAC).
Malaysia will host the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) and the Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM), which is scheduled for January 19-25, 2025. The theme for this year’s forum is “Unity in Motion: Shaping ASEAN’s Tourism Tomorrow”. The Council will organize the Business Mission on the sidelines of the M-ATM. Official invitation will be shared on a later date.