KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency Tourism Malaysia, kicked off its first Hotel Data Refinement Session for the year with industry players in Sarawak today.
Held at Hilton Hotel Kuching, the session was organised in conjunction with the Presentation of Appreciation Certificates to selected hotels contributing to the national Paid Accommodation Survey.
Officiated by Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director General (Planning) Shahrin Mokhtar, the session gathered key stakeholders from Sarawak’s hospitality and tourism industry including the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sarawak Chapter, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) Sarawak.
“This engagement is timely. 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,” Shahrin said.
Shahrin added the initiative, led by the Strategic Planning Division of Tourism Malaysia, served as a platform to present the latest findings from the quarterly Paid Accommodation Survey.
“Key performance metrics such as Average Occupancy Rate (AOR), Average Room Rate (ARR), and guest arrival figures were shared during the session,” he stated.
Participants also received a refresher on survey reporting procedures to ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection, particularly as the country ramps up efforts in preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
The session also supported newly appointed hotel officers in understanding their roles while serving as a feedback platform for operators to share challenges and suggestions on improving the survey’s implementation.
To recognise outstanding participation, Tourism Malaysia presented certificates of appreciation and VM2026 promotional materials to hotel operators who demonstrated exceptional commitment to consistent data submission.
Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to show strong signs of recovery, recording 38 million international arrivals in 2024, an 8.3 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels. From January to April 2025 alone, the country welcomed 13.4 million international visitors, marking a 21 per cent year-on-year increase.
Singapore remains Malaysia’s top tourist source market, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
