TOURISM INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTED 14.8% TO THE ECONOMY

Tourism Industry in Malaysia continues to expand in 2016 with the contribution of 14.8 per cent (RM182.4 billion) to the economy. In terms of growth, Gross Value Added of Tourism Industries grew at 9.4 per cent and the growth was impelled by retail trade industry, food & beverage and accommodation as shown in chart below.

Chart: Gross Value Added of Tourism Industries

DOMESTIC TOURISM GENERATED RM66.5 BILLION

Domestic tourism expenditure generated an income of RM66.5 billion (Growth: 9.8%) with the total number of 189.3 million domestic visitors (2015: 176.9 million). Since 2011, Selangor remained as one of the Malaysia’s leading domestic visitors travel destination. 

INBOUND TOURISM EXPENDITURE REGAINED MOMENTUM IN 2016 

Inbound tourism expenditure increased to RM81.2 billion (2015: RM74.6 billion) with a growth of 8.7 per cent compared to a negative growth of 6.8 per cent (2015). The growth of inbound tourism expenditure was supported by the increase in the total tourist receipts following the higher number of international tourist arrivals to Malaysia. In 2016, tourist arrivals attained 26.8 million predominated by tourist from Singapore, Indonesia and China.

3.2 MILLION PERSONS EMPLOYED BY TOURISM INDUSTRY 

Malaysia’s tourism industry employed 3.2 million persons and contributed 22.7 per cent to total employment. Employment in the tourism industry was attributed by retail trade industry 34.5 per cent and food & beverage serving services 31.2 per cent. Both industries contributed 65.7 per cent to total tourism employment.

Released By:

THE OFFICE OF CHIEF STATISTICIAN MALAYSIA
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS, MALAYSIA
15 September 2017

Contact person:
Ho Mei Kei
Public Relation Officer
Corporate and User Services Division
Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Tel : +603-8885 7942
Fax : +603-8888 9248
Email : mkho[at]stats.gov.my