Tourism Malaysia seeks lower local airfares to boost domestic tourism

Tourism Malaysia is seeking to reduce local airfares in an effort to stimulate domestic tourism, as the industry has become essential to its growth. Senior director Mohd Roslan Abdullah revealed that discussions with local airlines have led to plans aimed at lowering airfares, a move driven by higher oil prices resulting from the Middle East conflict.

Despite the increased travel expenses and rising living costs, demand for domestic travel remains strong. Abdullah acknowledged grievances from travel trade stakeholders who have expressed concerns about steep airfares. However, tourism authorities are working diligently to address these issues, with the Health Ministry collaborating to gather accurate data on remedial steps.

The tourism board is also committed to transparency by keeping tourists informed about air pollution levels through updates on the Air Pollution Index (API) and encouraging the use of face masks. Domestic tourism has experienced notable growth, with 74.7 million Malaysians traveling within the country, representing a 7.2% increase in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

Domestic tourism receipts have also shown a significant rise, from RM29.2 billion last year to RM32.8 billion this year. In the first half of 2026, there were 151.6 million domestic tourists, a 7.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Roslan emphasized that domestic tourism remains the backbone of the industry, demonstrating its ongoing importance.