Domestic tourism surges 16.1 pct in Q4 2023, recording 54.3 million visitors —DOSM

PUTRAJAYA: Domestic tourism in Malaysia surged 16.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023 (Q4 2023) compared to the same quarter of the previous year, recording a total of 54.3 million visitors, according to a report released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Tuesday.

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin in a statement said that based on a quarter-on-quarter comparison, domestic visitors increased by 1.6 per cent from the third quarter of 2023.

He said domestic tourism expenditure for the second quarter of 2023 registered RM23.8 billion, an increase of 29.5 per cent year-on-year, and a 18.5 per cent rise from the previous quarter.

“Overall, Malaysia’s domestic tourism performance in 2023 recorded 210.9 million visitors, an increase of 22.9 per cent as compared to a year ago.

“On domestic tourism expenditure for 2023, it registered RM84.9 billion, up 32.5 per cent compared to last year.

“However, both statistics were still below prepandemic levels (2019) with domestic visitors recorded -11.8 per cent and expenditure on domestic tourism fell short by -17.7 per cent, respectively,” he said.

In terms of the performance of the related tourism industry in Q4 2023, he added the index of theme park revenue increased 49.2 per cent year-on-year, followed by domestic airport arrivals (+1.7 per cent), highway traffic (+10.9 per cent), and retail sales of automotive fuel (+3.4 per cent).

Meanwhile, the accommodation revenue index also increased by recording 12.5 per cent, while the occupancy rate for five-star hotels rose 2.1 per cent, followed by four-star hotels (+0.7 per cent), and three-star hotels (+14.8 per cent).

Occupancy rate by location at hills and towns was up 2.2 per cent and 2.6 per cent, respectively as compared to the same quarter last year.