The domestic tourism expenditure increased 12.3% year-on-year to RM32.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, outpacing visitor growth as Malaysians spent more on travel within the country.
According to the latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), domestic tourism spending rose from RM29.2 billion in the corresponding quarter last year, although it declined 3.6% from RM34 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2026.
The number of domestic visitors increased 4.3% to 76.9 million in the second quarter, compared with 73.8 million a year earlier. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, visitor numbers rose 3%.
Overnight tourism recorded stronger growth, with the number of domestic tourists who travelled and stayed for at least one night rising 7.9% to 29.6 million from 27.4 million in the same quarter of 2025.
Compared with the first quarter of 2026, the number of overnight domestic tourists increased 7.8%.D
DOSM said visiting relatives and friends remained the main purpose of domestic travel, accounting for 44.1% of total domestic visitors.
Shopping was the second-largest travel purpose at 21.6%, followed by holidays at 13%.
The latest figures indicate continued demand for domestic travel, benefiting tourism-related businesses and supporting household consumption across the country.
Notably, the 12.3% increase in tourism expenditure was substantially higher than the 4.3% growth in visitor numbers, indicating stronger spending activity alongside the increase in domestic travel.
