KUALA LUMPUR: With the removal of domestic and international travel restrictions, tourism continued its rebound last year and remained one of the pillars of the economy. Gross Value Added Tourism Industries in 2022 totalled RM251.5 billion, about 14.0% of Malaysia’s gross national product and a 26.7% increase over 2021’s RM198.5 billion.
Chief Statistician Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said, “The outstanding performance is in tandem with the reopening of the country’s borders to international travellers on April 1 2022 and the abolishment of quarantine requirements and Covid-19 screening tests from Aug, 1 2022.” Foreign tourists spent most of their money on shopping, passenger transport and food and beverage while local tourists expended their budgets on shopping, food and beverage and automotive fuel.