Johor will launch over 100 tourism programmes for Visit Johor Year 2026, targeting 12 million visitors and RM42 billion in tourism revenue.
KULAI: The Johor state government will intensify the organisation of more than 100 tourism programmes and events throughout Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY2026) and Visit Malaysia 2026.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said this is a key strategy to drive tourism growth and generate broad-based economic spillover.
He said the programmes will include festivals, sports events, cultural activities and ecotourism initiatives.
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Their scale is expected to be two to three times larger than in previous years across the state.
Major events scheduled for 2026 include the Kite Festival, Majestic Johor Festival and Ledang Climbathon.
New attractions launching in the first half of 2026 include the Tokoh Museum and Sungai Johor River Cruise.
Other new sites are the Sungai Lebam Recreation Centre and Kampung Sungai Melayu Paya Bakau Ecotourism.
Mohd Jafni said the efforts are supported by the readiness of the state’s tourism industry.
Johor has about 500 registered hotels offering two to five-star accommodation with over 8,000 rooms.
This excludes numerous homestay facilities available throughout the state.
The state aims to attract 12 million tourists during VJY2026 with an estimated revenue of RM42 billion.
This target is expected to generate significant economic spillover and job creation.
Benefits will extend directly to the hospitality, food and beverage, transportation and creative industries.
Mohd Jafni was speaking at a press conference at a tourist welcoming ceremony at Senai International Airport.
The welcoming event was held via three main modes of entry: air, sea and land.
This reflects Johor’s commitment to an inclusive and visitor-friendly tourism experience.
Welcoming activities for sea arrivals were held at key ferry terminals including Puteri Harbour and Desaru Coast.
For land arrivals, activities took place at JB Sentral and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex at the Second Link.
Events were also held at the southbound Pagoh Rest and Service Area. – Bernama
