Pahang, a state in Malaysia, has achieved the highest average hotel occupancy rates in the country, standing at an impressive 73% for the first half (1H) of 2023. This significant accomplishment is attributed to the growing number of tourists choosing Pahang as their preferred destination.
Leong Yu Man, Chairman of the State Unity, Tourism, and Culture Committee in Pahang, credited the higher tourist arrivals for this achievement. She emphasized that this milestone not only reflects the state’s inherent appeal but also underscores the feasibility of reaching the targeted tourist numbers.
“We are targeting 13 million tourists this year, and as of September, Pahang has already hosted 9.04 million domestic and international visitors,” she stated.
Leong highlighted that five districts in Pahang have witnessed remarkable growth in tourist arrivals. These districts include Bentong, Kuantan, Cameron Highlands, Temerloh, and Rompin, each contributing to the state’s overall tourism success.
Two prominent highland tourism destinations in Pahang, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands, continue to draw visitors, along with Pulau Tioman in Rompin and the city of Kuantan. Leong noted that these destinations remain focal points for tourism, with the number of recorded tourist arrivals consistently increasing year after year.
The reported average hotel occupancy rates were calculated based on data from more than 36,000 registered accommodation rooms in Pahang, sourced from the Strategic Planning Division of Tourism Malaysia.
Among other regions in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur secured the second-highest hotel occupancy rate with an average of 57.3%, followed by Putrajaya (54%), Penang (49.2%), Johor (47.5%), and Selangor (47.1%).
Pahang’s outstanding performance in hotel occupancy rates underscores its growing popularity among both domestic and international travelers and further reinforces its position as a top tourism destination in Malaysia. With continued efforts to attract tourists, the state is well on its way to achieving its annual tourism targets and contributing to the growth of Malaysia’s tourism industry.
