Selangor’s community-focused rural tourism strategy is poised to become a national model, balancing urban growth with heritage preservation ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor state government’s strategic approach to strengthening rural tourism is poised to become a national reference model for other states ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Associate Professor Dr Mohd Raziff Jamaluddin of UiTM said the state has successfully balanced rapid urban development with the preservation of rural identity, culture and local heritage.
He said this was achieved through various initiatives focused on community empowerment, local host development and improvements to the tourism ecosystem.
From a sustainable tourism perspective, he noted rural tourism has great potential in supporting long-term economic growth while preserving culture.
“In the regional context through the ASEAN Tourism Standards, Selangor has shown commendable performance,” he told Bernama.
He added that Selangor’s ability to offer a wide range of tourism experiences within a compact geographical area makes it a time- and cost-efficient destination.
Mohd Raziff said the state has demonstrated strong performance across all aspects of tourism, reflected by high visitor satisfaction levels.
Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said the focus on rural tourism is a strategic move to build a more comprehensive and sustainable tourism value chain.
He said it helps narrow the development gap between urban and rural areas.
“MTF fully supports the Selangor state government’s approach in empowering rural tourism through comprehensive collaboration,” he said.
He added that rural tourism can strengthen Selangor’s branding as a destination that balances urban modernity with rural uniqueness.
It also helps extend tourist stays and increase spending across various economic sectors.
Tourism Selangor will continue the momentum of the Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign into next year.
This is in support of the Desa Kirana Complete Package in Sekinchan, launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The initiative aims to ensure the economic benefits of tourism are directly felt by rural communities.
It also promotes local arts, culture and unique features as key attractions for tourists.
Desa Kirana is a strategic initiative by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development to strengthen sustainable, inclusive and competitive rural tourism.
The programme highlights the uniqueness of rural villages through authentic experiences encompassing cultural heritage and natural beauty.
