Domestic tourism expenditure increased 12pct YoY in Q2 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic tourism expenditure rose 12.3 per cent in the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 from a year ago, to RM32.8 billion, as the number of domestic tourists increased by 7.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 29.6 million.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's domestic tourism spending surged 12.3% year-on-year to RM32.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, as the number of domestic tourists climbed 7.9% to 29.6 million, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Despite this increase in tourist numbers, expenditure fell by 3.6% from the first quarter when it stood at RM34 billion, the statement revealed.
DOSM defines a tourist as visitors who traveled and stayed for a minimum of one night. The department added that the number of domestic visitors rose 4.3% in Q2 2026 from the same period in 2025 to 73.8 million. Visiting relatives and friends was the most common reason for domestic travel, making up 44.1% of total domestic visitors, followed by shopping (21.6%) and holidays (13%).
The second quarter's performance suggests that Malaysia's domestic tourism remained robust, driven by a rise in both visitor and tourist numbers, the report highlighted. The 12.3% growth in expenditure outpaced the 4.3% increase in domestic visitors, indicating stronger tourism spending.
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