Budget 2027: RM935 Mln Allocated For Tourism, Culture

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The government has allocated RM935 million for tourism and culture following the extension of the Visit Malaysia campaign to 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the allocation included incentive grants for industry players to promote and organise tourism events.

He said the duty-free shopping allowance for visitors and tourists in Langkawi and Labuan had also been raised to RM10,000, subject to a minimum stay of 48 hours.

“More Langkawi-made products will also be exempted from import duties, thereby supporting local entrepreneurs,” he said when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Tourism facilities would be upgraded, including jetty infrastructure and potential UNESCO-recognised heritage sites such as Danum Valley in Sabah, Bujang Valley in Kedah and Taman Negara Pahang, he said.

Anwar said arts, culture and heritage would continue to be promoted through the organisation of a Cultural Festival in conjunction with the SEA Games, as well as support for cultural and heritage practitioners involved in handicrafts, weaving and batik.

To improve access for international tourists, he said an International and Charter Flight Matching Grant would be introduced to facilitate new direct flight routes from China, India, Central Asia and Europe.

The grant would also be extended to cruise ships, ferries and tour buses bringing international tourists to Malaysia, he said.

Anwar said QR payments would be expanded to 15 locations next year, including resort islands, to address difficulties faced by residents and tourists in accessing ATMs and help small traders avoid losing sales when customers did not have cash.

He said rebates would also be offered to event organisers at venues with a capacity of at least 10,000 spectators to position Malaysia as a preferred destination for major international events.

In addition, tax incentives for incentive trips, conferences and international trade exhibitions would be extended until the 2030 year of assessment, he said.

-- BERNAMA