The new initiative aims to boost edu-tourism and promote greater cultural exchange through travel.
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, through its agency Tourism Malaysia, has officially launched the much-anticipated Edu+ programme, an initiative aimed at bolstering Malaysia’s edutourism sector. This innovative programme is tailored for students, particularly those under the age of 16, who hold tourist visas, allowing them to participate in short-term educational programmes while vacationing in Malaysia.
Launched in collaboration with the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI), an organisation with over 36 years of experience, Edu+ represents the intersection of tourism and education, creating unique learning opportunities. The programme highlights the synergy between these two sectors and aims to boost Malaysia’s status as an educational and cultural exchange hub.
Initially, the Edu+ programme targets the Japanese market, with plans for expansion into other countries including Korea, China, Russia, and Vietnam. The initiative not only aims to promote cultural exchange and educational enrichment but also to encourage tourism growth between nations.
The programme’s model focuses on learning English in Malaysian educational institutions and incorporates a variety of elements such as educational exchanges, cultural and heritage experiences, collaborations with local schools, homestay stays, sports tourism, eco and nature-based learning, and programmes aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). So far, 19 private educational institutions and eight travel agencies have committed to developing specialised Edu+ packages.
YB Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan highlighted the initiative’s potential, stating, “As a country rich in diversity, history, arts, and culture, Malaysia has great potential in this tourism segment, where Edu+ is set to play a key role in attracting young tourists to explore the uniqueness of the country.” The Deputy Minister also noted that the programme is expected to enrol 10,000 students in 2024, generating an estimated RM50 million in revenue for Malaysia.
The Edu+ programme aligns with Malaysia’s broader tourism strategies in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026, a national campaign targeting 23.5 million tourists and RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts. By driving interest in Malaysia as an educational and cultural destination, Edu+ is poised to enhance the country’s tourism industry and position it as a top choice in the region.
For more details, visit www.malaysia.travel.
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