Kelantan targets 12 million tourists, rolls out 52 programmes in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026)

KOTA BHARU:
Kelantan is targeting the arrival of 12 million tourists throughout the year in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026).

State Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Noor said the target includes both domestic and international tourists.

He said that to achieve the target, the state government is organising various programmes in collaboration with multiple parties.

“We have 52 programmes that will be organised throughout the year to attract tourists to Kelantan in conjunction with VMY 2026.

“Previously, 90 per cent of tourists were domestic visitors and only 10 per cent were from overseas. This year, however, we are targeting a higher number of international tourists.

“In the past, most foreign tourists only used the state as a transit point to Pulau Perhentian, but through the various programmes to be organised, we believe we can encourage them to stay overnight in Kelantan,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after welcoming the arrival of tourists at the entry point in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026) at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) here today.

He added that starting this March, Kelantan will also have a ferry service to Pulau Perhentian in Terengganu.

“Previously, foreign tourists travelled to Pulau Perhentian via Besut Jetty in Terengganu, but beginning this March, we will have our own ferry service to Pulau Perhentian.

“At the same time, we will invite tourism industry players from overseas to Kelantan for a certain period and take them to visit tourist attractions.

“In this way, they will be aware that Kelantan has attractive destinations that can be included in their travel packages when visiting Malaysia,” he said.