The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency Tourism Malaysia, organised the Hotel Data Refinement Session with hospitality professionals in Sarawak.
This event was held in conjunction with the Presentation of Appreciation Certificates to Hotel Survey Samples in Sarawak on Wednesday, 9th July.
The event was held at the Hilton Hotel Kuching and marked the first engagement of its kind for the year.
Organised by the Strategic Planning Division of Tourism Malaysia, the session served as a platform to present the latest findings from the quarterly Paid Accommodation Survey (also known as the hotel survey), which captures key performance metrics such as Average Occupancy Rate (AOR), Average Room Rate (ARR), and both foreign and domestic guest arrivals.
The session was officiated by Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director-general for planning Shahrin Mokhtar with key tourism and hospitality stakeholders in Sarawak in attendance, including representatives from the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sarawak Chapter, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) Sarawak Chapter, Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) Sarawak.
Mokhtar remarked that the session was a timely one as the country is in the thick of preparing for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
He said: “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.”
Getting things right
In addition to data sharing, a refresher on the survey’s reporting procedures was provided to ensure consistent and accurate data submission.
The session was also supported by newly appointed hotel officers in understanding their roles, while offering a platform for industry players to share feedback, challenges, and suggestions to improve the survey’s implementation and relevance.
To acknowledge outstanding contributions, Tourism Malaysia also presented certificates of appreciation and Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional materials to hotel operators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and consistency in data submission.
This recognition reflects the agency’s appreciation for their continued support in enhancing national tourism data.
Malaysian tourism by the numbers
Malaysia continues to experience a strong recovery in tourism. In 2024, the country welcomed 38 million international visitors, reflecting a 31.1 percent increase from 2023 and 8.3% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The positive momentum has carried into 2025, with 13.4 million visitor arrivals recorded from January to April of this year, representing a 21 percent year-on-year increase.
Singapore remained Malaysia’s top source market, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
