Haha, I think you hold the record for longest comment on Indie Traveller. You make for a great spokesperson for Malaysia 😉 The country has definitely focused on some other types of tourism than its neighbors. It’s important for potential visitors to understand this, so that those who decide to come can appreciate the unique strengths of Malaysia.

Borneo side of Malaysia, or the Eastern Malaysia as commonly referred to, consists of 2 States, and 1 Federal Territory, which Malaysia has 3 in total, namely, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya (both in Peninsular) and Labuan Island off Sabah, which also serves as Malaysia’s offshore financial center, ASEAN’s version of Cayman Island alike.

Malaysia and Thailand may be very different, but as u go more south of Thailand where some of its provinces are on the Malay Peninsula (yes, Thailand has a portion of this famous narrow land extension that leads to the Southern-most point of mainland Asia, JB, Johor Bahru is considered the city at the southern-most tip of Asia mainland. The Southern Thai which is predominantly more Muslim concentrated, is actually very closely linked to Malaysia and Malay is rather commonly spoke in this region too.

I don’t necessarily think vacation is all about boozing and partying or fucking ur brains out, especially when it comes to tourism in SEAsia which has become this stereotype now for most travelers when it comes to Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Philippines or Cambodia. It could be their main draw just as it could work against them too, just as how more “conservative” Malaysia is can be a major turn off to young party ppl but extremely priceless quality not found in the countries mentioned prior.

Let me put it this way, if being more “conservative”, tamer, more lukewarm, less exciting, u can’t go as wild as u wish, all these labels that seem to be very negative and unappealing, but somehow very appealing to a whole other very large population because they know what they can expect is not just value for money on every aspect, like u say, being cheap doesn’t mean cheap all the way where quality is compromised, in some way more than the other, the value for money can exceed the value that is priceless when it comes to Malaysia.

It may be more fun to booze ur asses of, party until u die, in Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, etc, but it is Malaysia that is way more organized, well developed and crafted (though not overly manicured that is ultra superficial lacking of soul as how Singapore is infamous, or famous for), more advanced and more modernized, there are the direct big impression literally everyone has especially when they already been to other neighboring countries to see the instant change of vibe in everything.

If those “setbacks’ or “underwhelming points” about Malaysia means it is among the safest country in Asia, voted 10th safest nation in the world last year, extremely accessible and going around with prices that are beyond shocking, again, especially those already toured the other neighbors of ours, to realize how this incredibly well developed and advanced country, with its capital on par with Singapore, HK, Tokyo, Shanghai, alike, is this price competitive and super budget friendly? I think most of these backpackers are quietly cussing inside their heart to only realize, Malaysia is way amazing and impressive!

Back to this party scene, or drinking scene, the impression to those who have never been here would most likely be, KL has nothing fun or exciting at night, which is far from true! Changkat Bukit Bintang, right in downtown, just literally next to one of Asia’s most high profile street food Mecca, Jalan Alor, is where so many bars and pubs lining up one next to each other. Hear this, walking further uphill, yes it is an uphill area, is where u find very secluded, quiet, posh and very green urban green space with very high end residential and some of the most popular AirBnB are located. U dont get that change of vibe in many cities in the world, HK is the only one I could think of, similarly to its Mid Levels.

Being so much more advanced and developed does give away impression for being more costly, as u mentioned, somehow this misconception is one of the things that make so many tourists flipped out as soon as they touch ground in Malaysia. Literally everyone is in awe and disbelief just how unbelievably affordable Malaysia actually is, see, this pleasant huge surprise isn’t something many other countries capable in giving to their guests like we do.

Malaysia Tourism Board has worked very hard for decades in promoting and marketing and developing our tourism to make us one of the powerhouses in this region. We have clear objectives and directions as in what type of tourism are we selling, which type of market is our target, etc. Let’s just say, we have very niche market, which makes us outstanding and totally different from our neighbors where they are all literally trying to knock out one another in luring the same type of tourists. We have looked beyond and above that cliche, and our approach has proven to be very fruitful and effective, that’s how we are super popular, which a lot of people are not even aware of. U did mention, when u used to work in travel agency, Malaysia has always been one of the most sought after destinations, extremely appealing to family oriented clientele, being one of our niche markets. This group of travelers come with quantity, and higher spending too! Malaysia is very known to this demography to be extremely family friendly, kids friendly, and safe and fun! Something like this would never be said about Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, etc, even Singapore!

Malaysia is perhaps one of the very first countries in the world to first recognizing the potential of ecotourism hence we have tapped into this department long ago, it is one of our few marketing campaigns, or the “products’ we are selling to the world. Malaysia Tourism Board basically showcase the world with varieties of “themed vacation”, be it ecosystem, or island and beaches, food and culture, city lifestyle and shopping spree, now, hear this, MEDICAL TOURISM!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is one of Malaysia’s current more trending and most talked about “topic”, as words spread, more and more people from around the world, especially Europe and America, flocking into Malaysia to seek what they confidently anticipate to be very world class medical services, with unbelievable price tags that they couldn’t even dream of having back home. I’ve heard and seen so many foreign tourists raving and totally selling Malaysia’s fastest trending tourism, and this has also made Malaysia consistently being named one of the world’s best medical tourism hotspot, often, we are in top rank and the only Asian representative too!

Believe it or not, for decades, Malaysia has always been the MOST VISITED country in the whole South East Asia, that’s fact. It’s only that few years before pandemic hit, where Thailand has finally overtaken us, then, by very narrowed margin. I believe the suddenly spike in Thai tourist arrivals has largely been due to the decriminalizing of marijuana which makes it an even more happening place for ppl to get high and super wild. This development has further put off family oriented tourists to flock into Malaysia where they and their children would not have to deal with the smell of pot everywhere and everyday in the kingdom. With the latest policy to reverse the use of Marijuana, I think Thailand will further see plunging numbers given how it is already doing poorly this year.

Now, after pandemic, from 2023 till this very moment, 2 years in a row Malaysia has regained its lost crown title once again and retained the most visited country title. 2025 is no surprise to be ahead of Thailand, next year being Visit Malaysia Year 2026, I am certain we will continue to reign supreme! Malaysia Tourism Board has even revised the projected number of tourists this year from 39 million to a very ambitious 45 million, I don’t think MTB would make that call if they are not confident that we could hit that target. We will definitely be the very first country in this region to cross first 40 million mark for sure.

So yeah, Malaysia being Truly Asia, however some say it is underrated, some call it often overlooked and skipped, whatever it is, perhaps, it is our intention to remain low key and it is ok that if we are not the most known just like Thailand, but those who know of us, know us, and very well. It is always more fun to be the major surprise to every of our guest than being the total cliche or just as expected kind of destination.

Also, to say that Malaysia receiving lesser Western tourists is an understatement though, I don’t really see how other neighboring countries are pulling significant amount of Western tourists more than Malaysia, with exception of Thailand. Another thing that we should know is, Malaysia being such a diverse nation, diversity is truly what we do excellent in, just as our markets too. Another very niche market that is almost our exclusive strength that isn’t for the others is Malaysia being the World’s NO 1 Muslim tourist destination, holding that prestigious title every year for over a decade, so far no other countries have yet come close to dethrone our superiority in this department. We attract the most number of Muslim tourists particularly the very high spending demography from the wealthy Middle Eastern region.

In summary, being niche and specific is how we have become one of the most visited nations on earth, and how our tourism development is way above and ahead of most countries not just SEAsia but across the world too. I know it sounds as if I am bragging about it, then, what’s there not flaunt of when we have accomplished so much and come this far, we are very proud of what and who and how we are, and we will continue to progress and improve to continue being one of the most popular destinations in the world too!