Melaka Emerges as Key Healthcare Destination for Indonesian Medical Tourists Amidst VM2026 Push

Malaysia is strategically positioning Melaka as a prime healthcare destination, particularly for international patients from Indonesia, aligning with the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. This initiative leverages Melaka’s competitive advantages in delivering quality of care and cost-effective medical services.

Melaka's Strategic Role in Health Tourism

Melaka offers compelling unique selling propositions that attract health tourism, specifically for screening, examination, and treatment services. Its appeal is further enhanced by:

• Diverse Tourism Offerings: A rich array of food, shopping, arts, culture, and heritage experiences.

• Accessibility: Convenient travel times, including via sea routes through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at the Melaka-Dumai International Ferry Terminal.

Amirul Ariffin Md Nasir, Director of Tourism Malaysia’s Administrative Division, emphasized that these factors contribute significantly to the country’s tourism industry.

Government Support and Collaborative Efforts

To bolster the medical tourism sector, Tourism Malaysia is actively collaborating with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) on the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme, specifically targeting the Indonesian market. This concerted effort is supported by the MADANI Government’s commitment, which includes an allocation of RM20 million under Budget 2026. The objective is to attract a greater number of health tourists, aiming to generate revenue up to RM3 billion.

Recently, the Melaka-Dumai International Ferry Terminal ICQS complex hosted a special reception for approximately 160 Indonesian tourists arriving from Dumai, marking the commencement of VM2026 activities. Tourism Malaysia also supports the tourism development initiatives of state governments in Melaka, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan, which are concurrently running their own visit state year programmes. Over 300 events are planned nationwide for VM2026 across various tourism segments.

Patient Perspectives and Broader Tourism Appeal

Indonesian visitors frequently combine their cross-border healthcare needs with leisure travel, highlighting Malaysia's dual appeal as a wellness tourism and general tourist destination.

Dwi Ambar Setyaningsih, a 36-year-old tourist from Dumai, Indonesia, shared her family's preference for Malaysia not only for New Year celebrations but also for its distinctive food and attractions. She noted,