MOTAC showcases dynamic leadership in 2023 by navigating achievements and challenges
The world has embarked on a collective journey towards economic recovery after the pandemic, with various sectors striving to regain stability. Being one of the most affected industries, the tourism sector has been diligently working towards revival since the resumption of worldwide activities.
Malaysia, recognising the crucial role of tourism in its economic landscape, has actively contributed to this global effort. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and its agencies have been pivotal in orchestrating initiatives and strategies to revitalise the tourism sector.
Under the dynamic leadership of MOTAC Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, and Secretary-General Dato’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, 2023 has witnessed MOTAC setting and surpassing ambitious targets, marking a year of remarkable achievements and milestones.
However, the country achieved an impressive milestone, attracting nearly 15 million tourists just by September 2023, with complete data for the whole year yet to be disclosed. According to Tourism Malaysia and the Immigration Department, a total of 14,467,037 tourists entered the country from January to September 2023. Singaporean tourists led the list with 5,895,152, followed by Indonesia (2,227,991), Thailand (1,153,630), China (1,037,600), Brunei (574,856), and India (472,858), with the remaining visitors coming from various countries.
The government has also announced that Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) will be scheduled for 2026, providing a significant timeframe for tourism stakeholders to enhance and refine their services and offerings. The target for VMY 2026 is 35.6 million tourist arrivals with tourists receipts totalling to RM147.1 billion.
GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
In 2023, MOTAC allocated a grant totalling RM65 million to support and encourage various initiatives, including RM25 million for Geran Sokongan Sektor Pelancongan (GSSP) distributed among 222 recipients, RM25 million for Geran Sokongan Sektor Kebudayaan (GSSK) benefiting 411 recipients, and RM15 million for Geran Galakan Melancong Malaysia (GAMELAN) benefiting 500 recipients.
GSSP and GAMELAN aim to provide support and incentive assistance to private entities, non-governmental associations/organisations (NGOs), and industry enthusiasts. Their goal is to ensure the competitiveness of the tourism, arts, and cultural sectors while promoting Malaysia as a safe and compelling destination. This initiative also serves as a crucial step in the recovery of the severely affected tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic, with the hope of reaffirming Malaysia’s status as a premier tourist destination in the Asian region.
GSSK, on the other hand, is a government initiative announced in the 2023 Budget under MOTAC’s Tourism Recovery Plan to ensure that the artistic and cultural ecosystem in the country remains competitive and empowered.
In 2023, MOTAC has issued Small-Scale Tour Operation and Travel Agency Business Licences (TOBTAB) to 30 operators. Additionally, 1,000 Malim Gunung Perhutanan (MGP) and 200 Geoguide licences have been granted. In the craft industry, a total of 6,724 craft entrepreneurs generated sales valued at RM280.3 million.
TRIUMPHS AND RECOGNITIONS
MOTAC, through its agency Jabatan Warisan Negara, achieved 17 cumulative recognitions for Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. In 2023, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) contributed to the organisation of 223 events by providing support to related industry players. These events had facilitated an economic impact of RM3.25 billion and hosted 837,891 delegates in total.
Tourism Malaysia received the Putra Brand Awards 2022, Bronze Winner in the Transportation, Travel & Tourism category. The agency had also successfully organised multiple sales missions throughout the year to promote Malaysia’s tourism worldwide. The countries included in the sales mission were India, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Bahrain, Kuwait and New Zealand, among others.
Through MOTAC’s Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), which focuses on Islamic tourism development, Malaysia was honoured as the Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year (OIC) and Muslim Women-friendly Destination of the Year.
ASWARA, the only government-supported institution under MOTAC for performing arts education, achieved a remarkable 73 per cent employability rate for its graduates.
The new conditions for Visa On Arrival (VOA) took effect on October 15, 2023. The initial phase only involves chartered flights, and the application procedures have been simplified. Travellers can now provide personal information through Malaysia’s Immigration Department (JIM) before arrival. MOTAC highlights ongoing talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) to expand VOA
facilities for smoother entry, with anticipated improvements announced by KDN in January.
The 2024 Budget unveils Malaysia’s Visa Liberalisation Plan, enhancing VOA and Social Visit Pass facilities, with revised conditions for Chinese and Indian nationals based on discussions between MOTAC and KDN. The goal is to attract more visitors and investors from China and India, fostering economic growth and benefiting Malaysians.
In line with its commitment to fortify Malaysia’s Muslim-friendly ecosystem, MOTAC is actively working towards establishing Malaysia as a prominent regional ‘Umrah Hub.’ This strategic initiative aims to position Malaysia as the preferred destination for Umrah pilgrims from Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania. These pilgrims will have the opportunity to explore Malaysia’s nature, traditional and modern attractions before or after performing their Umrah.
The recent milestone involves Batik Air and the Lion Air Group collaborating with over 100 Umrah travel agents from Indonesia. This engagement signifies a joint effort to explore opportunities, address challenges, and contribute to the advancement of Umrah pilgrimage travel. Actions such as these underscore MOTAC’s commitment to fostering the development of the tourism industry as well as create an avenue to further cultural interchanges between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Through such transformations, Malaysia aspires to solidify its position as a regional hub for Umrah pilgrimage travels, attracting pilgrims from neighbouring countries and other regions.
MOTAC is once again organising the National Arts Awards (ASN). Nominations are open starting from December 18, 2023. The ASN is the highest award and recognition given by the Malaysian Government to individuals who have demonstrated excellence and outstanding contributions to the development of the arts in the country, covering five fields: music, dance, drama, craft, and visual arts.
The reimplementation of ASN in 2024 is a step taken by the Government, particularly MOTAC, to acknowledge the services, contributions, and excellence of art practitioners who play a significant role in shaping a civilised society. – RnR
