Malaysia's Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen announced that Malaysia has been ranked as one of the top travel destinations at a Chinese New Year gathering in Raub, Pahang. The minister informed that the tourism industry has promoted Malaysia well abroad, and is now the fifth largest contributor to national revenue.

According to a Bernama Online report, Datuk Seri Ng sighted reports by a low-cost travel portal, STA United Kingdom which ranked Malaysia as a "value for money" travel destination, and Lonely Planet which has named Malaysia as one of the ten countries good to visit. The minister also told reporters that Malaysia was ranked the ninth position by United Nations World Tourism Organisation for tourist arrivals.