By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 19: Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing has called to prioritise bold innovation, wide collaboration across ministries, sectors, and borders, and investing in projects that protect the environment, uplift communities, and preserve culture in shaping a shared future.
In a Facebook post, Tiong, who is also the assemblyman for Dudong and MP for Bintulu, said this following after he attended the Now and Future 2025 Conference and Exhibition, an initiative under the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary General Assembly (AIPA Malaysia 2025) under the theme ‘Integrated Growth through Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Innovation’.
“Tourism is often described as the world’s largest peace industry—it unites diverse sectors such as food and beverage, transport, public health, hospitality, and digital services into one shared experience that benefits both residents and visitors.
“Despite global headwinds, Malaysia’s tourism has proven resilient. We welcomed 38 million visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic records. We witness a 35.2 per cent growth in arrivals in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023, and a further 18 per cent increase in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024,” he said.
Tiong said these numbers represent jobs, income, and new opportunities across Malaysia, and added that growth alone is not enough, which is why sustainability lies at the heart of the country’s National Tourism Policy 2020–2030.
He said that through efforts such as the Measuring Sustainable Tourism (MST) framework, they are ensuring evidence-based decisions that protect the environment, empower communities, and build resilience.
At the same time, he said, the government is reviewing the Tourism Industry Act to strengthen consumer protection, tackle fraudulent umrah packages, and ensure safer, higher-quality tourism experiences for all.
Meanwhile, Tiong said culture remains the soul of tourism, and that Malaysia’s diversity is not only its pride but also its unique selling proposition to the world as visitors come not only to see landmarks but to experience the people’s traditions, food, festivals, and stories.
“As the ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia is also committed to strengthening regional collaboration. The ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan Post-2025 will focus on seamless travel, harmonised standards, and green transformation.
“Digitalisation will be a game changer, with the ASEAN Digital Masterplan and Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) paving the way for cross-border payments, talent mobility, and new opportunities in the digital economy.
“Tourism and culture must go hand in hand to create a future where growth is shared, prosperity is resilient, and culture continues to shine as the living soul of Southeast Asia.” — DayakDaily
