KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic tourism saw a 24.3 per cent jump in visitors to 53.4 million in the third quarter of 2023 (3Q2023), compared with the same quarter of the previous year.
Visitors also spent 33.8 per cent more, or RM20.1 billion, in 3Q2023 compared with a year ago.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today, domestic visitors decreased marginally 2.0 per cent compared with the 2Q2023. Spending however was 8.3 per cent lower quarter-on-quarter.
Chief statistician Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said overall, Malaysia's domestic tourism performance until September 2023 recorded 156.6 million domestic visitors, an increase of 25.4 per cent compared to a year ago.
"On domestic tourism expenditure, for the first nine months, it registered RM61.2 billion, up 33.8 per cent compared to last year," he said.
Commenting on the performance of index of tourism related industries in the Q3 2023, Uzir said the index of theme park revenue surged 64.1 per cent, followed by domestic airport arrivals (18.2 per cent) highway traffic (10.7 per cent), retail sales of automotive fuel (6.6 per cent), and zoo revenue (0.6 per cent), YoY.
Meanwhile, the index of accommodation revenue also increased by 20.3 per cent.
Occupancy rate for five-star hotels went up 6.9 per cent, followed by four-star hotels (5.4 per cent), three-star hotels (32.9 per cent), and two-star hotels/ chalets/ motels increased by 9.3 per cent.
Occupancy rate by location at beach and town rose 5.1 per cent and 9.9 per cent, respectively as compared to the same quarter of the previous year.