The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), via its agency Tourism Malaysia, hosted a Hotel Data Refinement Session for hospitality professionals in Sarawak, on July 9th. This workshop coincided with the issuance of Appreciation Certificates for hotel survey participants in Sarawak.

Held at the Hilton Hotel Kuching, this marks the first event of its kind this year, organized by the Strategic Planning Division of Tourism Malaysia. During the session, the latest findings from the quarterly Paid Accommodation Survey were shared, highlighting essential metrics such as the Average Occupancy Rate (AOR), Average Room Rate (ARR), and guest arrival statistics.

Shahrin Mokhtar, the Deputy Director-General for Planning at Tourism Malaysia, emphasized the importance of reliable data for advancing the national tourism agenda, especially in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. He stated:

“Reliable and high-quality data is essential in supporting our national tourism agenda. The hotel survey plays a vital role not only for Tourism Malaysia but also as a key reference for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders.”

Additionally, participants received refresher training on reporting procedures to ensure consistent and accurate data submission. The workshop also facilitated discussions among industry players to express their feedback and challenges regarding the survey.

Recognitions were given to hotel operators who excelled in their contributions to data accuracy and submission.

Tourism Recovery Statistics

Malaysia experienced a notable rebound in tourism, welcoming 38 million international visitors in 2024, marking a 31.1% increase from 2023 and exceeding pre-pandemic figures from 2019 by 8.3%. The upward trajectory continued into 2025, with 13.4 million arrivals from January to April, reflecting a 21% year-over-year increase. Singapore remains the largest source of tourists, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the UK.