EVENT : TOURISM MALAYSIA LAUNCHES EDU+ PROGRAMME TO BOOST EDUTOURISM AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

TTT NEWS NETWORK

KOLKATA, 22 OCTOBER 2024:

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through its agency Tourism Malaysia proudly announces the launch of the highly anticipated Edu+ programme, an initiative aimed at elevating Malaysia’s edutourism sector.

This initiative targets students, especially those under the age of 16, who hold tourist visas to pursue short-term education programmes while vacationing in Malaysia. Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI), a well-established organisation with over 36 years of experience, Edu+ reflects the synergy between the tourism and education sectors to create unique learning opportunities.

In its initial phase, the Edu+ programme focuses on the Japanese market, with plans to expand to other high-potential regions such as Korea, China, Russia, and Vietnam. The initiative is designed to promote cultural exchange, educational enrichment, and tourism growth between nations.

Featuring a comprehensive model centred around learning English at educational institutions in Malaysia, the Edu+ programme encompasses various components, including education, cultural and heritage experiences, collaborations with local schools, homestay experiences, sports tourism learning, eco and nature experiences, and Sustainable Development Goals programmes. Presently, 19 private educational institutions and eight (8) travel agencies have committed to developing Edu+ packages under this programme.

YB Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said: “As a country rich in diversity, history, arts and culture, Malaysia has great potential in this tourism segment where Edu+ is set to have a key role in attracting young tourists to explore the uniqueness of the country. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 students will enrol in this program in 2024, generating RM50 million of income for the country.”

This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader tourism goals ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, a national campaign aimed at drawing in 23.5 million tourists and RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts. Edu+ is poised to enhance the national tourism industry by indirectly driving Malaysia towards a preferred tourist destination in the region.