Where people are trying to get access to Malaysia visa, Malaysians are profusing themselves with international air. The strength of the Malaysian passport has enabled its holder’s access to 183 countries visa-free.
This has sparked a remarkable resurgence in global travel. It is propelling leisure trips, high-end adventures, and corporate expeditions. As the number of Malaysians choosing global destinations to travel skyrockets, the nation’s international travel industry has seen an exceptional rise in the past few years.
The following factors emphasize the interest of people in traveling abroad.
- Economic robustness
- Cultural curiosity
- Economic travel options
Skyrocketing Economic Trends
Increased disposable income due to a robust economy prompts the citizens to travel overseas. The Malaysian ringgit has paved the way to strengthening itself in the market.
This makes international travel an accessible and affordable retreat for Malaysians from their daily lives. The years after COVID-19 have encouraged people to detach themselves from their enclosed lives.
Hence, Malaysians spent around 22.5 billion ringgit on outbound tourism in 2022.
Anup Kumar Keshan, a travel media entrepreneur, founder, and editor of Travel & Tour World said “ I am truly impressed by the enthusiasm Malaysians have for exploring the world. The fact that Malaysian passport holders can visit 183 countries visa-free is remarkable and a significant factor in boosting global travel and tourism.”
The list of visa-free access to nations includes some P-5 nations like France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and UAE.
Visa-free travel for Malaysia passport holders allows them to visit 183 destinations around the world. 37 countries provide visas on arrival for Malaysian passport holders.
Below is a list of 183 countries that allow visa-free travel for Malaysia.
| Albania | Costa Rica | Guyana | Malta | Poland | Tanzania |
| Algeria | Croatia | Haiti | Marshall Islands | Portugal | Thailand |
| Andorra | Cuba | Honduras | Martinique | Qatar | Timor-Leste |
| Anguilla | Cyprus | Hong Kong (SAR China) | Mauritania | Reunion | Togo |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Czechia | Hungary | Mauritius | Romania | Tonga |
| Argentina | Denmark | Iceland | Mayotte | Rwanda | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Armenia | Dominica | India | Mexico | San Marino | Tunisia |
| Aruba | Dominican Republic | Indonesia | Micronesia | Saudi Arabia | Turkey |
| Australia | Djibouti | Iran | Moldova | Senegal | Tuvalu |
| Austria | Ecuador | Ireland | Monaco | Seychelles | Uganda |
| Azerbaijan | Egypt | Italy | Mongolia | Sierra Leone | Ukraine |
| Bahamas | El Salvador | Jamaica | Montenegro | Singapore | United Arab Emirates |
| Bahrain | eSwatini | Japan | Montserrat | Slovakia | United Kingdom |
| Bangladesh | Estonia | Jordan | Morocco | Slovenia | United States |
| Barbados | Ethiopia | Kazakhstan | Mozambique | Solomon Islands | Uruguay |
| Belarus | Faroe Islands | Kenya | Myanmar | Somalia | Uzbekistan |
| Belgium | Fiji | Kiribati | Namibia | South Africa | Vanuatu |
| Belize | Finland | Kosovo | Nepal | South Korea | Vatican City |
| Bermuda | France | Kuwait | Netherlands | Spain | Venezuela |
| Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba | French Guiana | Kyrgyzstan | New Caledonia | Sri Lanka | Vietnam |
| Bolivia | French Polynesia | Laos | New Zealand | St. Helena | Yemen |
| Botswana | French West Indies | Latvia | Nicaragua | St. Kitts and Nevis | Zambia |
| Brazil | Georgia | Lebanon | Niue | St. Lucia | Zimbabwe |
| British Virgin Islands | Germany | Lesotho | North Macedonia | St. Maarten | |
| Brunei | Gibraltar | Liechtenstein | Northern Mariana Islands | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| Bulgaria | Greece | Lithuania | Norway | Sudan | |
| Cambodia | Grenada | Luxembourg | Oman | Suriname | |
| Cape Verde Islands | Greenland | Macao (SAR China) | Pakistan | Sweden | |
| Cayman Islands | Guadeloupe | Madagascar | Palau Islands | Switzerland | |
| Chile | Guam | Malawi | Panama | Syria | |
| China | Guatemala | Malaysia | Peru | Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) | |
| Comoro Islands | Guinea-Bissau | Maldives | Philippines | Tajikistan |
Destinations that Fascinate Malaysians
The outbound travel industry for Malaysians has not flocked up to a particular destination.
2024 data shows Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea have charmed Malaysians greatly.
All these destinations offer a mix of contemporary and traditional atmospheres luring Malaysians into their charm. The rich history with bustling streets of native food, temples, and monuments has captivated many people from Malaysia.
Moreover, mainly the Asian nations have punched themselves in the minds of Malaysian tourists. Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, and markets of Bangkok like Hat Yai are topping the charts.
Thirst for Cultural Exploration
The rich cultural history of Malaysians encourages the citizens to explore cultural richness in the international arena. Malaysians are increasingly venturing abroad for thrilling adventures fueled by insatiable curiosity.
The explosion of budget airlines and competitively priced travel packages has been a revolution. Thus, these once-in-a-lifetime adventures are now well within reach.
Modest Travel Options
The growing notion of consumerism has made multiple options available to people. This has also impacted the outbound travel industry of Malaysia. People now have multiple affordable travel packs and airlines to feed their souls with international trips.
Emerging Future with Shifting Dynamics
The current figures for the travel industry portray a promising future. With numbers as high as now, one can expect the future with high possibilities and even higher digits in Malaysian ringgit. This also means travel adaptation to the new, upcoming dynamics and trends. Driven by innovative trends like eco-tourism, enriching experiences, and digitally catapulted lifestyles – the outbound tourism industry will unlock new possibilities for traveling and exploration.
Therefore, we derive that Malaysia’s outbound tourism industry is propelling forward. The contributing factors are the travelers’ curiosity and economic development leaving people with more disposable income. This paves the way for a more diversified and sustainable Malaysian tourism industry.