KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to building a sustainable and resilient tourism sector that protects natural and cultural heritage, strengthens local livelihoods and delivers lasting economic benefits.
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), in a statement, said Deputy Minister Chiew Choon Man, who represented Malaysia at the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) 2026 in Macao from Oct 16 to 17, emphasised that tourism success should be measured not only by visitor arrivals and receipts but also by the tangible benefits it brings to people and communities.
Themed “Crisis·Resilience·Evolution-Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future”, the forum brought together government leaders, industry representatives and international organisations to address global tourism challenges and chart a more resilient future for the sector.
Speaking at the high-level ministerial panel, “The Road to 2027: Building a Resilient Tourism Economy”, Chiew highlighted Malaysia’s approach to aligning tourism growth with environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and inclusive economic opportunities.
He said Malaysia, guided by the National Tourism Policy 2020–2030 and the 13th Malaysia Plan, continued to promote nature-based and community-based tourism, alongside cultural experiences that create jobs, support local enterprises, and deepen appreciation of the country’s heritage.
Chiew said sustainability remained central to the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign, with environmental stewardship a shared responsibility among the government, industry players, communities and visitors.
"In line with the Malaysia MADANI aspirations, government investment in the conservation of UNESCO heritage sites and forest reserves helps safeguard these assets for future generations while supporting their long-term tourism value," he said in the same statement.
He noted that Malaysia’s cultural diversity also provided a strong foundation for tourism experiences that generated income and encouraged local participation, citing the Malaysian Homestay Experience Programme as an example of how community-led tourism supported rural livelihoods while offering visitors authentic cultural experiences.
"As of August 2026, the programme had recorded 584,000 visits and generated RM41.14 million (USD10.06 million) in income, reflecting its contribution to local economies," Chiew said.
He added that Malaysia would continue pursuing tourism growth that created lasting value, broadened economic opportunities and ensured local communities shared in the sector’s success.
The ministerial panel also featured Republic of Korea Vice-Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Dae-hyun, EXO Travel Group Chief Executive Officer Hamish Keith and Shanghai Jinjiang International Hotels Co Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mao Xiao.
Established in 2012, GTEF promotes sustainable global tourism development and international cooperation with China, having attracted more than 15,500 delegates from 88 countries and regions, alongside over 780 speakers, across its past 11 editions.
-- BERNAMA