SHAH ALAM, May 4 — Tourism Selangor is actively spearheading initiatives to promote the state’s small towns, capitalising on a global shift toward “experiential” travel following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Star reported its chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling as saying that these hidden gems are now becoming preferred escapades for travellers seeking cultural heritage and a slower pace of life.
“The charm of Selangor’s small town lies in their unique suburban setting, traditional delights from ancestral recipes, and the genuine hospitality of the locals.
“It also provides the modern traveller a more in-depth exploration of lesser-known places offering equally engaging experiences away from the city,” she said.
Chua added that the agency is moving away from traditional ‘stop-and-go’ sightseeing, instead encouraging staycations and multi-day visits.
In January, state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim launched the inaugural Selangor New Village Fiesta in Pandamaran to promote the heritage of the state’s 77 new villages.
Chua noted that these sites are ideal for leisure travel as they allow tourists to immerse themselves in an unhurried lifestyle.
"Tourism Selangor will develop more diverse packages and devote much more time to domestic tourism this year, especially in light of the current international climate," she said, observing that global market swings and turmoil are making foreign travel more challenging.
As a result, domestic small-town staycation packages have become critical for luring tourists, particularly from Southeast Asia.
To support this, Tourism Selangor is training tour operators, guides, and local host communities to collaborate on multi-stop packages that encourage longer stays, such as two-day-one-night trips in these small-town destinations.
In 2025, Selangor recorded 8.42 million tourist arrivals, marking its highest figure in five years and a 9 per cent increase from the previous year.
Domestic visitors accounted for over 68 per cent of this figure, while the remaining are international tourists.
While the charm of small towns continues to draw visitors, Chua said that Tourism Selangor recognises a shortfall in upscale accommodation, as the limited presence of four- and five-star hotels often drives high-spending tour groups to return to the city.
To address this, the agency is encouraging hotels with star ratings to invest in rural areas.
