Kuala Lumpur, July 23 -- Malaysia recorded nearly 17 million international tourist arrivals from January to May 2025, a 20.4% increase from the same period in 2024, the country's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has reported.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, about half of Malaysia's total international tourist arrivals during the first five months of the year were from neighbouring Singapore with 8.34 million, followed by Indonesia with 1.82 million, China 1.81 million, and Thailand 1.06 million, the tourism ministry said in a written parliamentary reply on July 21.

The minister said arrivals from long-haul markets such as Australia and the UK also saw increases of 16.6% and 8.7%, respe...