Traveller safety and outdated facilities remain pressing issues that could undermine Malaysia’s tourism ambitions if left unaddressed, according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing.
Tiong said many attractions lack basic infrastructure upgrades, particularly in destinations frequented by repeat visitors.
“Some foreign visitors tell us that when they came 10 years ago, the facilities were like this, and 10 years later, nothing has changed,” he added.
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While Malaysia has produced promotional videos showcasing its attractions, Tiong said many potential visitors have never seen these destinations due to limited marketing reach.
“Our promotion is still not enough. Agencies tell us the same thing – that the promotional budget is insufficient and that we also need cooperation from other countries,” he added.
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“When we go to each state, I tell them they must be aggressive. But after that, the states must continue promoting themselves. You cannot just wait for the federal government to do everything.”