Kuala Lumpur has been ranked among the top 10 most popular cities in the world for international tourist arrivals, according to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the achievement reflects Malaysia’s growing appeal among international travellers, driven by the government’s continuous efforts to promote the country as a tourism destination.
He said the government would continue to intensify preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, with the aim of attracting more than 40 million international visitors.
Nga said major international events such as the Formula One (F1) race and the Kuala Lumpur Marathon play an important role in drawing more tourists to Malaysia.
He added that the continued growth of the tourism sector could make it the country’s second-largest contributor to national revenue, supported by ongoing promotional initiatives.
Nga was speaking at a press conference after officiating the 25th International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (Archidex 2026) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on Thursday.
He revealed that Malaysia recorded 10.7 million international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, surpassing Thailand for the first time.
According to Nga, the milestone demonstrates Malaysia’s increasing recognition as a preferred global travel destination, thanks to its cultural diversity, tourist attractions and political stability.
He urged Malaysians to help maintain a clean environment so visitors would leave with a positive impression of the country.
Nga also encouraged the public to uphold good manners and hospitality to ensure tourists feel welcomed and are motivated to return.
He added that political stability remains an important factor in boosting travellers’ confidence and attracting more foreign investment into the country.
Nga said Kuala Lumpur’s inclusion among the world’s most popular tourist cities should serve as a catalyst to further improve Malaysia’s tourism services and visitor experience.
“I am confident that with the support of the people and cooperation from all parties, Malaysia can achieve its tourism targets and remain one of the world’s preferred travel destinations,” he said.
