Minister: Iranian tourist numbers to M’sia plunge 49 pct, prompting fresh push for tourism cooperation

Tiong and Ali Darabi (right) exchanging souvenirs following a bilateral meeting. Photo: Tiong King Sing/Facebook

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 19: Tourist arrivals from Iran to Malaysia had declined by about 49 per cent as of Aug 2026 compared with the same period last year, prompting a renewed push for tourism cooperation.

In a Facebook post, Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, said Iranian tourist arrivals in Malaysia stood at around 7,400 as of August this year, down about 49 per cent from 14,628 visitors in the same period last year.

He said this followed a bilateral meeting with Iran’s Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Dr Ali Darabi, to discuss cooperation between Malaysia and Iran in cultural heritage, tourism, handicrafts, arts, and culture in depth.

“In this regard, I hope Malaysia and Iran can intensify tourism promotion and destination marketing efforts to attract more Iranian visitors to Malaysia.

“I have also asked the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), one of the agencies under the ministry, to play a more proactive role in strengthening tourism cooperation between the two countries. This includes expanding Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) promotion and strengthening Malaysia’s position as an Umrah hub,” he said.

Tiong, also the MP for Bintulu and assemblyman for Dudong, said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cultural and artistic cooperation proposed by Iran last month is in the works.

He added that his ministry is processing it and it is awaiting final review by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

“I hope the MoU can be finalised as soon as possible so that both countries can establish a clearer framework for cooperation in cultural heritage, the arts, and knowledge exchange,” he said.

On cultural exchanges, Tiong said Malaysia has also expressed its commitment to supporting Iranian Cultural Week, led by the Cultural Section of the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia and scheduled to take place at Istana Budaya in December this year.

“Dr Ali Darabi said Malaysia and Iran had long enjoyed close and friendly relations. Both countries have considerable potential for cooperation in cultural heritage, tourism, hospitality, branding, handicrafts, and the arts.

“He expressed hope that both sides would organise more roadshows, exhibitions, and cultural activities in the future, while strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in cultural heritage,” he said. — DayakDaily