DOSM: Domestic Tourism In Malaysia Rises 7.8% In Q2 2025

Samuel Chua

19th September 2025 - 3 min read

Malaysia’s domestic tourism sector continued to expand in the second quarter of 2025 [PDF], with visitor numbers and spending showing steady growth, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

More Malaysians Travelling Across The Country

Malaysia recorded 73.8 million domestic visitors in Q2 2025, a 7.8% increase compared to the same period last year. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, visitor numbers also rose by 5.8%.

Domestic tourists reached 27.4 million in the second quarter, representing a 4.2% increase compared to Q1 2024. This growth highlights the continued importance of local travel in supporting the national tourism economy.

“Domestic tourism continues to show healthy growth, underpinned by the strong participation of Malaysians in local travel. This reflects the sector’s vital role in supporting local businesses and contributing to the wider economy,” said Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician Malaysia.

Tourism Spending Hits RM29.2 Billion

Expenditure from local travellers amounted to RM29.2 billion in Q2 2025. While this marked a modest 3.8% year-on-year increase, it reflected a slight 0.6% decline compared to the previous quarter.

Shopping remained the single largest contributor to receipts, generating RM39.9 billion in 2024. Food and beverages was the second-largest category, accounting for RM17.3 billion

Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, And Perak Lead Visitor Numbers

In 2024, Selangor attracted the highest number of domestic visitors at 34.5 million, followed by Kuala Lumpur at 27 million, and Perak at 21.8 million. Perak also saw the fastest growth, with tourist arrivals rising 36.1% to 10.2 million compared to 7.5 million in 2023.

“Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Perak continued to lead in both visitor arrivals and tourism receipts in 2024. Perak’s strong performance reflects the increasing appeal of its tourism offerings,” Uzir said.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur also topped domestic tourism receipts in 2024, with RM14.2 billion and RM14.1 billion respectively. Pahang and Sabah followed, each generating RM8.7 billion and RM8.6 billion.

Why Malaysians Travel And How Long They Stay

Visiting relatives and friends remained the main purpose of overnight trips across most states in 2024, except Melaka, where leisure travel was the top driver.

The national average length of stay increased slightly to 2.49 nights, with Sabah (3.01 nights) and Sarawak (3.09 nights) recording the longest durations.

Who Makes Up The Domestic Travellers

The majority of domestic travellers came from households earning RM5,001 to RM10,000 per month, particularly in states like Johor, Melaka, Selangor, and Sarawak. In contrast, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis saw higher proportions of travellers from lower-income households earning RM1,001 to RM3,000.

Across all states, the largest share of visitors were aged 25 to 39 years, showing that Malaysia’s economically active population plays a central role in driving domestic tourism.

The steady rise in visitor numbers and receipts underscores the resilience of Malaysia’s domestic tourism market. With middle-income households and younger age groups driving demand, the sector continues to support local businesses, retail, and hospitality.

“The latest data points to a stable and evolving domestic tourism market. It not only contributes to economic diversification but also reflects the social and cultural importance of travel within Malaysia,” Uzir said.

Overall, the latest data points to a stable and evolving domestic tourism market that not only supports local economies but also reflects the social and cultural importance of travel across Malaysia.

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