Malaysia targets more Indonesian tourists with longer stays, golf tourism

Tiong (sixth left) in a group photo with others during his work visit in Indonesia. Photo credit: Facebook/Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 27: Malaysia is intensifying efforts to attract more Indonesian visitors by promoting longer-stay travel packages and strengthening its premium golf tourism segment ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.

Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing noted that Indonesia remains one of Malaysia’s key source markets, with around 4.3 million Indonesian visitors recorded in 2025 out of Malaysia’s total 42.2 million tourist arrivals.

However, he said the figure still falls short of its true potential, given that Indonesian outbound travel reaches approximately 12 million trips annually.

“Travel agency Dwidayatour said it is committed to expanding the sales and promotion of Malaysian tourism products across its extensive network covering 26 cities throughout Indonesia, supported by around 57 retail branches and online platforms.

“To cater to Indonesian travellers, the company said it will actively promote multi-destination travel packages with flexible itineraries ranging from three to seven days to enhance overall travel experience and spending potential,” Tiong said in a Facebook post.

He further said the company plans to intensify market outreach through roadshows, familiarisation trips and social media campaigns to widen its promotional reach and strengthen market penetration.

He also highlighted Sabah, Sarawak and Malaysia’s east coast islands as key destinations for future promotional focus.

At the same time, Tiong said another travel agency – Baltic Golf & Travel Specialist – has indicated to him that golf tourism represents a high-value segment with strong spending power.

“Malaysia, which has more than 200 golf courses, has a strong foundation to be developed as a high-impact regional golf tourism destination.

“Both sides also discussed potential collaboration in integrating golf activities with tourism experiences, including the possibility of organising joint golf tournaments and regional-level championships to enhance international visibility and attract more premium travellers.

“We are also looking at combining golf events with tourism activities, including joint tournaments and regional competitions, to raise Malaysia’s international profile and attract more high-end visitors,” he added.

Tiong’s remarks came following his recent working visit to Indonesia where he held separate discussions with the two companies to explore ways of expanding tourism cooperation.

“As a way forward, Malaysia will continue to promote a diverse range of tourism products, from mass tourism to the luxury segment, simultaneously.

“This is to attract more Indonesian visitors to Malaysia and sustain continued growth momentum towards Visit Malaysia 2026,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily