Singaporeans Make Up Bulk of Johor Visitors in Early 2025
Singaporeans dominated Johor’s foreign tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2025, accounting for more than 11 million visits from January to July. This represents the majority of the total 14 million foreign visitors recorded during the same period, according to K. Raven Kumar, chairman of Johor’s Unity, Culture and Heritage Committee.
The figures, reported by The Star, indicate that Singaporeans are among the most frequent visitors, with repeat trips likely included in the totals. In addition to Singapore, tourists from Indonesia, China, India, the Philippines, Europe and South Korea were also observed visiting the southern Malaysian state.
Raven highlighted that from January to March, over two million visitors—including Malaysians—spent at least one night in Johor, showing the growing appeal of the state as a short-stay destination.
Tourism Statistics and Trends
Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing provided additional data on the visitor demographics. From January to June 2025, a total of 10,288,256 Singaporeans visited Malaysia, reflecting a 22.5 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024.
This surge underscores Johor’s popularity among Singaporean travellers, who make up a large portion of cross-border tourism. Tourists from China also recorded significant growth, rising 35.6 per cent to 2,178,857 visitors in the first half of 2025 compared to 1,607,413 in 2024.
Top arrivals included Singapore, Indonesia, China and Thailand, demonstrating a continued interest in Malaysia’s diverse attractions.
Promoting Johor’s Small Towns
Johor’s authorities are actively promoting small towns across its 10 districts to attract both domestic and foreign visitors. Efforts include upgrading tourism products, hosting events, and preparing for Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY2026).
The state government aims to attract 12 million tourists in 2026, a target supported by local tourism stakeholders. By expanding offerings beyond major cities, Johor hopes to distribute visitor traffic more evenly, providing economic benefits to smaller communities.
As cross-border travel remains convenient for Singaporeans, the state continues to capitalise on its proximity, encouraging repeat visits and longer stays to enhance the overall tourism experience.