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Published 9 Sept 2026
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital and one of Southeast Asia’s major city destinations, known for its mix of modern landmarks, shopping districts, cultural neighbourhoods, food scenes, and transport links. The city plays a central role in Malaysia’s domestic travel market, while also serving as a key gateway for international visitors travelling around the country.
How many people visit Kuala Lumpur each year?
Kuala Lumpur recorded 26.98 million domestic visitors in 2024, rising above the 2019 pre-pandemic benchmark of 22.63 million domestic visitors.
- Domestic visitation grew from 19.05 million in 2017 to 22.63 million in 2019.
- Pandemic-era travel disruption reduced Kuala Lumpur’s domestic visitors to 12.44 million in 2020 and 9.12 million in 2021.
- Recovery strengthened from 16.91 million in 2022 to 22.23 million in 2023 and 26.98 million in 2024.
- Across 2017 to 2024, Kuala Lumpur averaged about 18.57 million domestic visitors per year.
- Kuala Lumpur averaged about 73,700 domestic visitors per day in 2024.
Note: Figures refer to domestic visitors to the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. The average is calculated from the annual values shown for 2017 to 2024. The daily average for 2024 is based on 366 days.
How many people visited Kuala Lumpur in 2024?
Kuala Lumpur received 26.98 million domestic visitors in 2024, up from 22.23 million in 2023.
- Kuala Lumpur welcomed about 4.75 million more domestic visitors in 2024 than in 2023.
- Domestic visitors increased by 21.4% in 2024 compared with 2023.
- The 2024 total was 19.2% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic level.
- Kuala Lumpur ranked second among Malaysian states and federal territories for domestic visitors in 2024, behind Selangor.
Note: Percentage changes are based on the full annual visitor values.
How many people visited Kuala Lumpur in 2023?
Kuala Lumpur welcomed 22.23 million domestic visitors in 2023, continuing its recovery from the pandemic period.
- The 2023 total was up from 16.91 million domestic visitors in 2022.
- Kuala Lumpur’s 2023 domestic visitor total recovered to near the 2019 pre-pandemic level of 22.63 million.
- Kuala Lumpur ranked second nationally for domestic visitors in 2023, after Selangor.
- The 2023 result set up a stronger 2024, when Kuala Lumpur reached 26.98 million domestic visitors.
Note: The section compares Kuala Lumpur’s 2023 domestic visitor total with the 2019 pre-pandemic benchmark and the 2022 recovery year.
How much do visitors spend in Kuala Lumpur?
Domestic tourism receipts in Kuala Lumpur reached RM14.1 billion in 2024, up from RM11 billion in 2023.
- Kuala Lumpur ranked second in Malaysia for domestic tourism receipts in 2024, after Selangor.
- Domestic tourism receipts increased from RM7.73 billion in 2022 to RM11 billion in 2023 and RM14.1 billion in 2024.
- Shopping was Kuala Lumpur’s largest domestic tourism spending component in 2024, generating RM6.8 billion.
- Food and beverages generated RM2.1 billion in domestic tourism receipts.
Note: Receipts refer to domestic tourism spending in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur Hotel Statistics
Kuala Lumpur recorded 16.84 million hotel guests from January to September 2025, up from 15.77 million during the same period in 2024.
- Hotel guests in Kuala Lumpur increased by 6.8% from January to September 2025 compared with January to September 2024.
- International hotel guests accounted for 9.6 million guests in Kuala Lumpur from January to September 2025.
- Domestic hotel guests accounted for 7.25 million guests during the same period.
- Kuala Lumpur’s average occupancy rate rose from 61.2% in January to September 2024 to 65.4% in January to September 2025.
- The average room rate increased from RM350.8 to RM363.5 over the same period.
| Metric | Jan–Sep 2024 | Jan–Sep 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hotel Guests (Millions) | 15.77 | 16.84 |
| Domestic Hotel Guests (Millions) | N/A | 7.25 |
| International Hotel Guests (Millions) | N/A | 9.60 |
| Average Occupancy Rate (%) | 61.20 | 65.40 |
| Average Room Rate (RM) | 350.80 | 363.50 |
Source · Note: Hotel guests count people staying in paid accommodation. This is not the same as total destination visitors. The 2025 figures cover January to September, not the full year.
Kuala Lumpur Domestic Visitor Profile
Kuala Lumpur’s domestic visitor economy in 2024 was led by shopping, food and beverages, and urban retail destinations.
- Shopping was Kuala Lumpur’s largest domestic tourism spending component in 2024, generating RM6.8 billion in receipts.
- Food and beverages was the second-largest spending component, generating RM2.1 billion.
- Kuala Lumpur primarily received domestic visitors from households earning RM5,001 to RM10,000 per month.
- The city’s leading domestic visitor destinations were mainly shopping centres, markets, and central urban leisure areas.
Note: This section summarizes Kuala Lumpur-specific domestic tourism spending and visitor-profile indicators.
Related Travel Statistics
What are the top domestic visitor destinations in Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur’s leading domestic visitor destinations in 2024 were mainly shopping and urban leisure areas.
- SOGO was listed among the top domestic visitor destinations in Kuala Lumpur.
- Mid Valley Megamall and Suria KLCC also appeared among the city’s leading domestic visitor destinations.
- Petaling Street Market and Pasar Seni highlight Kuala Lumpur’s appeal for markets, shopping, and cultural districts.
- The top-destination list reinforces the importance of retail and city-centre attractions in Kuala Lumpur’s domestic tourism market.
| Rank | Top Domestic Visitor Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | SOGO |
| 2 | Mid Valley Megamall |
| 3 | Suria KLCC |
| 4 | Petaling Street Market |
| 5 | Pasar Seni |
Source · Note: The table lists the top destinations visited by domestic visitors in Kuala Lumpur.
References
- Domestic Tourism Survey and State Tourism Statistics (2017–2024) · dosm.gov.my
- Paid Accommodation Survey and Tourism Data Portal (2024–2025) · data.tourism.gov.my
