By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 8: Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to make Malaysia a top medical tourism destination ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Signed in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 5, the MOC establishes a strategic framework for both agencies to strengthen Malaysia’s branding as a world-class medical and wellness destination. It outlines joint promotional efforts, enhances industry collaboration and expands market outreach to attract high-value healthcare travellers.
This supports the national tourism agenda for VM2026, which aims to welcome 47 million international visitors, with medical tourism positioned as a key contributor.
Tourism Malaysia’s Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said the partnership reflects the agency’s commitment to elevating Malaysia as a premier destination that blends exceptional tourism experiences with world-class healthcare services.
“As we approach Visit Malaysia 2026, the medical tourism segment will play a vital role in attracting quality visitors and boosting tourism receipts.
“We are confident that this partnership with MHTC will foster meaningful opportunities for growth and further strengthen Malaysia’s position on the global stage,” he said in a joint media release issued today.
Meanwhile, MHTC chief executive officer Suriaghandi Suppiah said the collaboration will make it easier for healthcare travellers to plan and enjoy their trips.
“Our united efforts will help position Malaysia as a safe, reliable and preferred destination for medical and wellness treatments,” he said.
Under this collaboration, Tourism Malaysia and MHTC will coordinate targeted promotional activities across priority markets, including ASEAN, South Asia (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), East Asia (China), Middle East and Africa. These regions have been identified for their strong demand for quality medical and wellness treatments.
Joint marketing efforts, trade engagements and data-sharing initiatives will support the development of integrated healthcare travel packages and strengthen Malaysia’s presence in these markets.
The partnership aims to increase global visibility, improve product offerings, and ensure seamless travel experiences that attract higher-spending international travellers.
Medical tourism remains one of Malaysia’s most influential niche segments, contributing significantly to the tourism ecosystem through longer average stays, higher per-visitor expenditure, and multiplier effects across hospitality, retail, transportation and wellness services.
Malaysia’s reputation for internationally accredited hospitals, highly skilled multilingual medical professionals, competitive treatment pricing and exceptional hospitality continues to make the country an attractive choice for patients seeking quality healthcare abroad. – DayakDaily
