DESA KIRANA AIMS TO ATTRACT 100,000 TOURISTS AHEAD OF VM2026

SEKINCHAN, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) is targeting 100,000 tourist visits to rural destinations through 25 Desa Kirana@KKDW locations nationwide in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the target is expected to be achieved by the end of next year, in line with the government’s aspiration to ensure rural areas are not left out of the economic benefits generated by tourist arrivals.

“Most tourists coming to Malaysia are from the ASEAN region, Oceania such as Australia and New Zealand, as well as Europe. Only a small number come from North or South America, while the largest numbers are from China and India.

“We do not want rural communities to merely be spectators without enjoying the economic benefits of tourist arrivals,” he said when officiating the announcement of the Desa Kirana comprehensive tourism packages here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said data also showed strong interest among tourists from South Korea and Japan in experiencing Malaysia’s rural lifestyle.

He said all parties, including homestay operators, village heads and individuals, must continue to take care of promoted locations to ensure they are not neglected even after the Visit Malaysia Year campaign ends.

“This is to ensure the promotion does not remain short-term, with the locations abandoned once Visit Malaysia Year concludes.

“I was also saddened when revisiting several homestays in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and other areas during a Cabinet retreat to find them poorly maintained, as many operators are now elderly. There must be continuity and a culture of maintenance,” he said.

He added that KKDW, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, will make every effort to support the success of related tourism products while boosting the economic standing of rural communities.

Meanwhile, KKDW said in a statement that the Desa Kirana programme, which covers 25 locations across Malaysia, represents a strategic approach to a comprehensive and unique rural tourism package, with local communities serving as the main drivers.

The ministry also targets a 20 per cent increase in income for local communities next year, taking into account the potential and uniqueness of each location.

‎-- BERNAMA

‎