SHAH ALAM, Dec 21 — Malaysia is looking to draw 100,000 foreign tourists to 25 rural attractions under the Desa Kirana Complete Package programme next year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the initiative aims to ensure economic benefits for all residents and promote rural arts and culture.
He added that the government doesn’t want high-income travellers to only enjoy urban and suburban destinations and sideline rural areas, and explained that foreign tourists, especially those from Japan and South Korea, have been increasingly interested in rural experiences.
“This package allows tourists to experience village culture, arts, traditions, cuisine, and environments.
“We don’t want rural folk to just watch (other areas) without receiving economic benefits from tourist arrivals,” he said when announcing the Desa Kirana Complete Package at Dataran Batu 23, Sungai Nibong, Sekinchan, yesterday.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said the target is a starting point to drive rural tourism industry development in coming years.
Meanwhile, he said his ministry (KKDW) will work with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) and homestay operators under the Desa Kirana programme.
However, he advised homestay operators and village heads, be they individuals, cooperatives or Federal Village Development and Security Committees (JPKKPs), to care for the promoted locations so they’re not abandoned after Visit Malaysia 2026 ends.
“This is so the promotion isn’t just for the short term and so these places aren’t just left behind after Visit Malaysia Year.
“This is why I’m saddened when I revisit certain homestays in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and other areas after Cabinet retreats, when I found them to be unattended as the operators are in their sunset years,” Zahid said.
