KUALA LUMPUR, February 18- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is formulating various strategies to strengthen the Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign or VM2026, in an effort to attract more international tourists and boost the country's economy.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said that among the main focus is by encouraging day visitors to stay overnight through special offer packages such as Midnight Sales in Johor Bahru.

Tourist stays are also expected to be extended through cultural and ecotourism experiences, in addition to empowering local communities and improving infrastructure.

MOTAC is also promoting specialty tourism including health tourism, golf and gastronomy to encourage tourist spending.

"MOTAC also provides grants to tourism industry players, namely the GSSP tourism sector support grant, GSSK cultural sector support grant, Malaysia Travel Promotion Grant and International Flight Support Grant and GSPC Chart to further intensify tourism promotion within or outside the country", he said when answering a question from Tebrau Member of Parliament, Jimmy Puah Wee Tse in the Dewan Rakyat today.

So far, MOTAC has recorded initial success when the number of international visitors last year reached 38 million people, exceeding the original target of 35.6 million.

In this regard, the new target for VM2026 is being reviewed.

He explained that MOTAC also plans to expand the Midnight Mega Sales initiative to three to five new locations nationwide this year, in addition to introducing Food Festivals in each state to boost the local tourism industry.